Members of the Columbia Police Department fear that current conditions might lead to injuries or death, according to an independent review of the police department.
The city of Columbia called for the review after a 2006 report published by MU found many issues with the culture of the department. Since then, conditions have only become worse, according to the report.
Problems within the department include poor communication between ranks, low morale, unclear policies and values, insufficient training and an outdated facility, the report states.
“The general attitude of most officers is characterized by themselves, retirees and others as fearful, hesitant and uncertain,” according the review conducted by Eric A. Anderson Associates. “They expressed their fear that this set of conditions will lead to situations that will result in injury or death to themselves or a member of the public through over or under-reaction.”
Currently, 48 percent of patrol officers have less than five years’ experience. However, the department only requires the state minimum 24 hours of training per year.
Each member of the department knew the purpose of police work, but few could confidently identify a department-wide mission or set of values. Additionally, many of the CPD’s policies are either antiquated or conflicting with each other.
The distance between officers and supervisors amplifies the confusion. Many officers reported being unaware of the department’s operations and only hearing about major initiatives from the press.
This divide might be caused, in part, by the current layout of the department, which isolates supervisors and officers from one another.
The study listed a set of recommendations that “will require a wide overhaul of the management system,” starting with a review of Police Chief Ken Burton and his senior command staff.
Burton was unavailable for comment.
Recommendations also included improvements for communication within the department and to the public, codification of the general orders, rules, policies and procedures of the department, increased training for every position and construction of a new police headquarters.