Wednesday, December 02, 2015
Nixon applauds new police training standards
Gov. Jay Nixon Tuesday applauded the Missouri Department of Public Safety and the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission for putting forward new rules to update and enhance law enforcement training standards in Missouri.
Under the new rules, police officer basic training must include instruction in the subject areas of: fair and impartial policing, responding to individuals with mental illness, tactical training and social intelligence, and officer well-being. In addition, the commission increased the number of hours of continuing education officers must receive by 50 percent, from a total of 48 hours every three years to 24 hours each year.
“Each and every day, Missouri’s law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe,” Gov. Nixon said. “More effective training will benefit both officers and the communities they serve. By making the most comprehensive enhancements to ongoing officer training standards in nearly two decades, these new rules mark a significant milestone that will strengthen public safety and improve the well-being of officers all across our state. I thank the POST Commission and Director Roberts for working diligently and transparently to develop these updated standards that will benefit all Missourians.”
In August, the Governor directed the POST Commission and DPS to put forward new rules by Dec. 1 to improve access to effective and ongoing training in the key areas of tactical training and de-escalation, fair and impartial policing, and officer health and wellness. In September, the Ferguson Commission recommended enhanced police officer training standards among its signature calls to action, including mandated training in fair and impartial policing.
The new rules mark the most wide-ranging updates to officer continuing education standards in nearly two decades. The new standards include:
Mandating that training at all basic law enforcement training academies include training in the subject areas of:
Fair and impartial policing practices, including implicit bias recognition.
Tactical training, including de-escalation techniques, crisis management, critical thinking and social intelligence.
Handling persons with mental health and cognitive impairment issues.
Officer well-being, including mental health awareness.
Requiring all licensed officers receive two hours of training each year in each of those same four critical areas – fair and impartial policing; tactical training, including de-escalation; handling persons with mental health and cognitive impairment; and officer well-being.
Requiring all licensed officers receive 24 hours of training each year to maintain their licenses, instead of obtaining 48 hours every three years, representing at 50 percent increase in required continuing education training hours.
The Governor also applauded the Missouri Department of Mental Health, which has taken significant strides through the Governor’sStrengthening Mental Health Initiative to expand access to Crisis Intervention Training for law enforcement agencies around the state. Due to the additional resources available to help support the costs of the training courses and the assistance of new community mental health liaisons, new CIT councils are in development across the state. A total of more than 3,000 law enforcement personnel in Missouri have been trained in mental health crisis intervention.
“Missouri’s law enforcement officers are often on the front lines of the fight against mental illness, and as Governor I’ve been committed to providing them with the tools, training and resources they need to respond,” Gov. Nixon said. “These new rules will build on the outstanding progress already being made by our Department of Mental Health to strengthen public safety and expand access to mental health crisis intervention training for police officers throughout Missouri.”
In developing the new standards, the DPS and the POST Commission held six public meetings around the state to gather input from Missourians, including law enforcement agencies, advocacy groups and other stakeholders.
The new POST rules will be filed with the Missouri Secretary of State and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to begin a 30 day public comment period.
Tuesday, December 01, 2015
The complete list- How much do Joplin R-8 employees make?
ABTS CASSIDI THRPSP ADM ADM 35372
ADAMS TERESA PRIN PRIN PRIN 79120
ADAMS TYSON CUST CUST CUST 28163
ADAMSON GREGG SCI TCHR TCHR 38659
ADCOCK SARA COMMUN TCHR TCHR 35009
AHRENS BOBBIE ECSE TCHR TCHR 38459
ALAN GAIL AIDB AIDB AIDB 7333
ALEXANDER MARY READ TCHR TCHR 53679
Judge: For the safety of the community, no bond reduction for Jasper man
Saying that he had the "safety of the community" to consider, Jasper County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Hensley turned down a Jasper man's request to reduce the bond.
Richard Swearingen, 38, faces a felony stalking charge after being accused of harassing a teenage girl on November 20 and in August, according to the probable cause statement. The statement also includes details of an investigation into child molestation allegations.
The statement described the most recent allegation against Swearingin:
On November 20, 2015, in the area of 1st Street and Grand Avenue, City of Jasper, Jasper County, State of Missouri, the defendant committed the crime of stalking by following the victim in his car as she was riding her bike and asking her multiple times to get into his vehicle. The victim told me she was afraid because he wouldn't stop following her.
A second stalking allegation occurred either on August 13 or August 20, in the area of Park Street and Grand Avenue in the City Park, according to the statement:
The defendant committed the crime of stalking by approaching the victim and asking inappropriate questions that made the victim feel uncomfortable.
Another stalking incident occurred October 28 at the victim's residence, the statement indicated:
The defendant approached the victim and started asking inappropriate questions that made the victim feel uncomfortable and tried to get the victim to leave her home with him and followed her into the backyard and tried to get her to enter his vehicle with him.
Information from the earlier investigation into child molestation was included with the statement, involving a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old girl.
Bond was set at $25,000, with the requirement that at least $10,000 be paid with cash. The bond reduction request was made during Swearingen's video arraignment November 24. Judge Hensley turned it down the next day with this ruling:
Defendant's bond is currently set at $25,000, $15,000 of which may be cash or surety and $10,000 cash only.
Richard Swearingen, 38, faces a felony stalking charge after being accused of harassing a teenage girl on November 20 and in August, according to the probable cause statement. The statement also includes details of an investigation into child molestation allegations.
The statement described the most recent allegation against Swearingin:
On November 20, 2015, in the area of 1st Street and Grand Avenue, City of Jasper, Jasper County, State of Missouri, the defendant committed the crime of stalking by following the victim in his car as she was riding her bike and asking her multiple times to get into his vehicle. The victim told me she was afraid because he wouldn't stop following her.
A second stalking allegation occurred either on August 13 or August 20, in the area of Park Street and Grand Avenue in the City Park, according to the statement:
The defendant committed the crime of stalking by approaching the victim and asking inappropriate questions that made the victim feel uncomfortable.
Another stalking incident occurred October 28 at the victim's residence, the statement indicated:
The defendant approached the victim and started asking inappropriate questions that made the victim feel uncomfortable and tried to get the victim to leave her home with him and followed her into the backyard and tried to get her to enter his vehicle with him.
Information from the earlier investigation into child molestation was included with the statement, involving a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old girl.
Bond was set at $25,000, with the requirement that at least $10,000 be paid with cash. The bond reduction request was made during Swearingen's video arraignment November 24. Judge Hensley turned it down the next day with this ruling:
Defendant's bond is currently set at $25,000, $15,000 of which may be cash or surety and $10,000 cash only.
When considering bail a court must consider the severity of the alleged crime, whether the defendant poses a flight risk if released, and whether the defendant poses a risk to the community if released from jail.
With regard to the first two considerations, Defendant is charged with a single class D felony of aggravated stalking, which is obviously not as serious as a higher class A or B felony, and the Court does not believe the defendant is a flight risk.
However, as to the third consideration, the Court has concerns regarding the risk to the community if Defendant is not incarcerated pending trial. The Court is certainly not finding any of the facts in the Probable Cause affidavit to be true at this time, but the allegations raised in the complaint and similar investigations in the past involve minors. The Court therefore has concerns regarding the Defendant's presence in the community.
The Court appreciates the comments and input from Defendant's sister, and has taken those comments into consideration while deciding on this issue of bond, but ultimately has the safety of the community to consider.
Therefore the Court DECLINES to reduce the bond amount in this case. In the event the Defendant makes bail, there will be special conditions placed upon his bond:
1) Defendant will have no direct or indirect contact or communication in any manner or medium with any alleged victim in this case; 2) Defendant will have no contact with any minors, other than his own children, and 3) Defendant will not consume or possess alcohol or illegal drugs. Failure to adhere to any of these special conditions will result in an immediate revocation of Defendant's bond.
Swearingin's next appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, December 9.
Man shot by Joplin Police on probation less than halfway through six-year sentence
Judge Gayle Crane sentenced Jeffrey Lee Hill, 49, Joplin, to six years in prison May 13, 2013, after Hill entered an Alford plea to a charge of stealing firearms. (An Alford plea means the defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges there is enough evidence to convict him.)The sentence was to run concurrently with the four-year sentence Crane had handed Hill for a felony driving while intoxicated as an aggravated offender charge.
On March 5, 2013, Judge Joseph Schoeberl sentenced Hill to 14 days in the Jasper County Jail, a $200 fine, and $141.50 in court costs for possession of marijuana and driving while revoked. Court records indicate another charge was dropped as part of a plea agreement.
A Joplin Police Department news release described what happened when the police arrived at the Oxford Apartments:
On November 30, 2015, at 9:16 PM, the Joplin Police Department responded to 3330 S. Texas, Oxford Apartments, in reference to a domestic assault.
The suspect had fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers. Officers were again called to this location at 10:37 PM in reference to a disturbance.
Upon arrival, officers were confronted with the same suspect from the earlier event and one officer was involved in a shooting.
The suspect sustained gunshot injuries and was transported by ambulance to Freeman Hospital where he continues to receive medical treatment. No officers were injured in this incident.
Following JPD policy for officer-involved shootings, the officers who responded to the call have been placed on administrative leave.
Though the Joplin Police Department recently received body cameras, the camera for the officer who shot Hill had not yet been activated, according to a department news release.
State audit gives "good" rating to Missouri Lottery Commission
(From State Auditor Nicole Galloway)
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued an audit report on the Missouri State Lottery Commission. The report, which received a rating of "good," identifies several areas of concern, including two areas that were cited in a prior audit report, issued two years ago: advertising/sponsorships and contracts.
The Lottery has not developed written policies and procedures for investing in sponsorships, and has incurred expenses greater than the amount of benefits for some community events, which was noted in a previous report. The report recommends the Missouri State Lottery conduct further analysis to determine the appropriate amount of advertising to optimize sales and profits. Lottery officials have indicated increases in the advertising budget would result in higher funding for education, however, these changes do not appear to have had a direct impact on the amount of funding generated for education.
Also noted in a previous report, the Lottery continues to enter into long-term contracts and to amend these contracts instead of periodically soliciting competitive bids and proposals. As a result of the long-term contracts, the best providers might not have an opportunity to bid on some services.
Prior to this report, the most recent audit of the Missouri State Lottery was issued in November 2012 with a performance rating of "good." The full report can be found here.
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued an audit report on the Missouri State Lottery Commission. The report, which received a rating of "good," identifies several areas of concern, including two areas that were cited in a prior audit report, issued two years ago: advertising/sponsorships and contracts.
The Lottery has not developed written policies and procedures for investing in sponsorships, and has incurred expenses greater than the amount of benefits for some community events, which was noted in a previous report. The report recommends the Missouri State Lottery conduct further analysis to determine the appropriate amount of advertising to optimize sales and profits. Lottery officials have indicated increases in the advertising budget would result in higher funding for education, however, these changes do not appear to have had a direct impact on the amount of funding generated for education.
Also noted in a previous report, the Lottery continues to enter into long-term contracts and to amend these contracts instead of periodically soliciting competitive bids and proposals. As a result of the long-term contracts, the best providers might not have an opportunity to bid on some services.
Prior to this report, the most recent audit of the Missouri State Lottery was issued in November 2012 with a performance rating of "good." The full report can be found here.
Joplin city manager: We are working on an e-mail retention policy
Good afternoon, everyone. A short week due to the Thanksgiving holiday yields a short report, but there have been a few things happening around city hall that I would like to make you aware of.
Key Meetings
-On Monday I attended the monthly chamber board meeting. The co-chairs of the Young Professionals Network gave a presentation, followed by normal updates from various chamber staff members.
-Afterward, staff from my office met with Parks Director Scott Garrie to review their list of capital equipment and projects for the next five years. We still have a couple of departments to meet with, but the project is ongoing.
-As indicated in last week’s report, on Monday afternoon, staff from our building division, AtCM Brian Kelly, and I met with Councilmen McCreary and Glaze to discuss their concerns about our building permit process. We discussed the length of time our permits are good for (six months), the process to get a permit extension, and the challenges of enforcing our permits when a homeowner/contractor cannot meet our deadlines. I have asked our intern to work with Mr. Kelly on surveying some other cities’ permit processes to determine where we fall on the spectrum of strict vs. lenient. After that information is compiled I will work with our building staff to develop any changes to our process, if warranted.
-On Tuesday, I visited with Dr. Ridder from Joplin Schools to see how things are going with the district. We are working with their staff on the sub-recipient agreement for the early childhood center project, which will come to you around March of 2016 (HUD still has to approve the amended action plan, we need to complete the Tier 1 environmental assessment as well, which will take us through February). The district is also making progress on a survey that they intend to conduct to measure the community’s opinions on the district.
Miscellaneous
-Bids were due on two projects this week that you may have received, or may receive, questions on, namely the library construction project and the affordable senior housing project. We received eight bids for the library construction project, and one bid for the senior housing project. Staff is in the process of reviewing the bids and will bring those to you at a future council meeting for consideration.
-Staff in our city attorney’s office has prepared the Blasters lease agreement according to the terms we presented to you at our last meeting, and we have provided the team with a copy for their review prior to the meeting. That item will be on your agenda for December 7th, and a copy of the lease will be included with your council packets.
-As indicated in last weekend’s article in the Joplin Globe, I am working with our IT director to develop a city-wide email retention policy. As you may be aware, our email is hosted by Microsoft and we have been in contact with their representatives to learn more about their system and retention possibilities for current and past employees. I will share a copy of that policy with you when it has been completed and adopted.
-We have received feedback from the Center for Priority Based Budgeting on several program inventories that were developed by departments. We will continue to meet with staff to fine tune the lists of programs as the CPBB’s feedback comes in, but next month we are on track to begin the process of working with you to develop our Results maps.
Graves: Bill requires Obama to submit strategy to defeat ISIS
This year, I was fortunate to be appointed by my colleagues to the House Armed Services Committee. Our main responsibility every year is passing a National Defense Authorization Act. Last week, we were thankful to see the President back down from his continued veto threats and sign the bill into law.
The overall bill authorizes pay and benefits for our troops; creates a new portable retirement system for uniformed military; requires President Obama to submit a concrete strategy to defeat ISIS; and ensures that no GTMO prisoners will be transferred into the United States.
One of my other top priorities was ensuring my amendment to protect the C-130H aircraft was included and adopted into law. The amendment authorized $10 million toward the Air Force’s plan to modernize and preserve the C-130H fleet.
For decades, the C-130H has been a critical component of National Guard units across the country, particularly in St. Joe. The aircraft provides tactical support to our troops on the ground, protecting them from enemies and allowing them to more efficiently execute the missions that are critical to our national defense.
The Air Force has been taking positive steps to modernize the C-130H, but its plan lacked urgency. This amendment not only provides for Air National Guard units across the country, but it ensures the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joe will be protected by this aircraft for decades to come. I am thankful that my amendment – and the overall defense authorization bill – was signed into law by the President last week.
Schweich's father, Gen. Livingston endorse Brunner
John Brunner today announced the endorsement of Major General James E. Livingston, USMC, (Ret). Maj. Gen. Livingston is a Medal of Honor recipient who served active duty in the United States Marine Corps for 33 years. The Medal of Honor is the highest honor awarded by the military.
The announcement follows the endorsement of Julius Schweich. Schweich, father of the late State Auditor and Gubernatorial candidate Tom Schweich, served 31 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve. Among Schweich’s awards include the Missouri Meritus Service Award and the Distinguished Service Medal. Schweich retired in 1987 as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Missouri Air National Guard.
"I am incredibly honored to have the support of Maj. Gen. Livingston." Brunner said. "As a fellow Marine I have the utmost respect for his service to our country and am grateful for the opportunity to earn the endorsement of this true American hero. We share a common vision of more freedom and less government, and restoring America one state at a time with tested and proven conservative leadership."
Announcing his support, Maj. Gen. Livingston said, "John Brunner is a man of the highest integrity and character. John is a principled conservative leader with four decades of military and executive leadership experience to go in and get the job done. I am extremely confident he is the right man at the right time to lead Missouri. I'm proud to endorse John and look forward to helping him become Missouri's next Governor."
Brunner, a former Marine, plans to announce additional endorsements and a “Veterans Advisory Council” in December.
More information on the heroics of Maj. Gen. Livingston can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7_xfIdHXvs .
More information on Julius Schweich’s endorsement of John Brunner may be found here: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/kevin-mcdermott/father-of-the-late-gubernatorial-candidate-tom-schweich-endorses-brunner/article_322ab75f-c09e-5e0f-852f-f6ff7c40fefa.html .
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