County Police

Lt. Colonel Kenneth Gregory, Chief of Police

ADOPTED FY23 BUDGET

$168,906,320

Department Mission

FULL TIME EQUIVALENTS

1,265.7

The mission of the St. Louis County Police Department is to work cooperatively with the public and within the framework of the Constitution, to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear, and provide a safe environment in our neighborhoods.

Budget Overview

The 2023 adopted budget for the County Police Department is $168,906,320, a decrease of $796,006 or 0.5 percent from the 2022 adjusted budget of $169,702,326. Personnel costs comprise 82.8 percent of the budget for 1,288 positions (1,265.7 full time equivalents). Operating expenses account for 16.8 percent and capital expenses account for 0.4 percent of the budget.

Significant Changes

The 2023 adopted budget includes $6.8 million for pay increases approved in collective bargaining agreements, lateral pay, shift differential, and paid family leave. The budget does not include $1.95 million in vehicle replacements that was requested as a 2022 supplemental appropriation to meet next year’s manufacturer ordering deadlines.

The County Council reduced the County Police Department’s budget by $7,011,176 (4.0%) compared to the County Executive’s recommendation to remove the value of 75% of vacant positions.

Core Business Functions

The St. Louis County Police Department is responsible for the management of:

→ Police protection through the patrol of communities and Metro Link Transit services

→ Neighborhood police officers and school resource officers supporting the community

→ Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officers throughout the department to deescalate mental health crises

→ Crisis negotiation team to respond to mental health barricaded subjects to deescalate without SWAT

→ Community engagement through youth and diversity and inclusion programs

→ Investigation of crimes within St. Louis County

→ Crime Laboratory scientific support of criminal investigations

→ Collect and disseminate criminal intelligence throughout the region via the St. Louis Fusion Center

→ Air patrol though a cooperative agreement with St. Louis Metropolitan Police and St. Charles County Sheriff Departments

→ Emergency 911 calls received and dispatched by the Bureau of Communications

→ Police recruit training and continuing education for current staff at the County and Municipal Police Academy

→ Security services provided to all St. Louis County government buildings

→ Response plans for countywide emergency situations with the Office of Emergency Management

Program Descriptions

Division of Patrol

The Division of Patrol is responsible for responding to calls for service. This division is comprised of the eight patrol precincts, located throughout St. Louis County, whose personnel respond to emergency and non‐emergency calls for service, provide traffic enforcement, and present a visible deterrent to crime while patrolling neighborhoods and businesses. Using Neighborhood Policing Officers assigned to the precincts, a partnership is established between the department and the communities it serves. These partnerships, supported by various community policing initiatives, help strengthen community commitment and participation in crime prevention and reduction strategies.

Division of Special Operations

2023

Of Resources

The Division of Special Operations is responsible for assisting the precincts with combating criminal activity through specialized resources of the department. These include support from the following units: Tactical Operations, Metro Air Support, Canine Unit, Special Response Unit, Bureau of Transit Police, and the Highway Safety Unit.

Division of Criminal Investigation

The Division of Criminal Investigation is responsible for investigating criminal activity. It includes specialized bureaus assigned to identify, investigate, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations; investigate crimes against persons; investigate crimes against property; process crime scenes; analyze forensic and fingerprint evidence and transport prisoners.

Division of Operational Support

The Division of Operational Support is responsible for providing technical and administrative support to the department. The most evident service to citizens is the Bureau of Communications, which receives and responds to 911 calls for service. It also includes the Office of Emergency Management, Emergency Communications Network and Record Room Unit. This division also includes the Bureau of Security Services which provides security for various St. Louis County buildings.

Division of Human Resources

The Division of Human Resources includes the Personnel Services Unit, the County and Municipal Police Academy, and the Wellness Unit. The focus of this division is on recruiting, background investigations, hiring and all personnel services for current employees. This division also includes the Bureau of Community Engagement which was created to work with employees and community stakeholders to address issues affecting the well‐being of all. It includes the Diversity and Inclusion Unit and the Community Outreach Unit.

Administration

The Office of the Chief includes units that answer directly to the Chief or Deputy Chief. This includes the Bureau of Professional Standards, Bureau of Research and Analysis, Fiscal Services Unit, and the Public Information Unit. The Intelligence Operations Bureau supports the Criminal Intelligence Unit, St. Louis Fusion Center, and the Regional Information and Intelligence Center. This Office is responsible for the oversight of all Police Department activity.

Strategic Priorities And Performance Metrics

 Reduce Crime, Victimization and Harm (HS ‐ Reform Policing)

 Increase Organizational Accountability (GG ‐ Improve Effectiveness)

 Increase Organizational Capacity (GG ‐ Improve Effectiveness)

 Leverage Technology (GG ‐ Efficient and Responsible)