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The Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department takes an active role in meeting public expectations through continuous assessment and analysis of laws, trends, and policing practices that bring value and benefit to our community. Some of our initiatives involve unifying our policing efforts across the St. Louis area to bring about change and consistency that best serves the policing industry and our communities. Part of this process involves introducing proposed state legislation that will bring about necessary policing improvement statewide. Through the unanimous membership vote of the St. Louis Area Police Chiefs Association, House Bill No. 216 was introduced on December 1, 2020. This Bill seeks to modify provisions relating to law enforcement officers. The summary highlights of the Bill include:

• Enhancements to commissioned police officer hiring processes and conditions of employment to include Missouri and National criminal record review screening and participation in the Missouri and National Rap Back Program. Pre-employment screenings will include an assessment of all previous law enforcement employer's history of employment related disciplinary action. Liability is removed from employers sharing law enforcement employment information. 
• Provisions on police use of force, including deadly force, when making lawful arrests, along with limitations on the use of choke holds. This also includes requirements for a police officer's duty to intervene to stop the unlawful use of force by another police officer. 
• State of Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission discipline of any peace officer licensee due to incompetency, unsafe mental condition (including alcohol and drug abuse), commission of a criminal offense, violations of moral turpitude and reckless disregard for the safety of others, and misrepresentation of self for the purpose of obtaining a license. Discipline includes license probation, suspension, and revocation.
• The composition of the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission's membership, employing a full-time attorney, and up to eight full-time investigators to investigate and manage license violations. 

For a complete version of the document click here: House Bill No, 216 - Modifies provisions relating to law enforcement officers.

We ask that you support this Bill for the betterment of law enforcement and our communities!