Street Crimes Unit

In 2007, Columbia experienced a dramatic increase in violent crime. In December of 2007, a temporary Violent Crimes Task Force was formed as a response. This task force consisted of Columbia police officers, Boone County Sheriffs Department deputies, F.B.I. agents and an officer from the University of Missouri Police Department. As a result of this task force, 42 individuals were arrested for felony charges and several high profile violent crimes were solved. This task force disbanded after one month as the officers needed to return to their assigned duties.

The city council requested that the police department submit a proposal regarding creation of a similar unit with Columbia Police resources.

As a result, a proposal was presented to the City Council for a four-officer Street Crimes Unit. This proposal was met with overwhelming approval by the City Council and City Manager.

The primary mission of this unit is to arrest career criminals and to perform proactive “hot spot” enforcement activities. Other activities that this unit will be engaged in are as follows:

• Combating street level “open air” drug dealing
• Assisting Major Crimes Unit in locating and apprehending felony suspects.
  
• Locating and arresting suspects with active felony warrants.
  
• Identifying and arresting individuals who are engaged in criminal gang activity.
  
• Targeted traffic enforcement in high crime areas.

The Street Crimes Unit began operation in July of 2008 and is part of the department's Investigative Bureau.

Police departments nation-wide have implemented similar units resulting in a reduction of violent crime. It is our sincere hope that the Street Crimes Unit will have a similar impact on improving the quality of life for the citizens we serve.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Columbia Police Department Street Crimes Unit is to improve the quality of life in the community by suppressing criminal activity and decreasing the violent crime rate as it relates to "Street Level Crime." The Street Crimes Unit supports the Mission Statement and values of the Columbia Police Department through various strategies which include investigative techniques, proactive strategies, intelligence gathering, and arrests.