Joplin police awarded Blue Shield state designation
The program was created by Gov. Mike Kehoe in January to recognize local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration and build stronger community partnerships for public safety.
Joplin police Chief Richard Pearson obtained City Council approval in April to apply for the program.
Acceptance into the program will make the department eligible to apply for grants from a $10 million funding allocation approved by the Missouri Legislature. It is anticipated that funding will be available in July, state officials previously said.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety will administer the program.
'We designed the Missouri Blue Shield Program to recognize communities that go above and beyond in creating a place where people want to live, work and build their futures,' Kehoe said when introducing the program. 'A Missouri Blue Shield designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local governments across Missouri who are leading the way in making public safety a priority.'
'The Department of Public Safety is proud to work alongside communities like Joplin that have shown exceptional dedication to enhancing public safety,' said Mark James, director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, said in a statement. 'This program is about fostering collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our goal is to support these efforts, providing resources and guidance to help communities build sustainable, long-term solutions for crime reduction and public safety.'
Joplin Mayor Keenan Cortez said of the program, 'We recognize the commitment of our police officers to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens through proactive patrols, community engagement and emergency response. This is a great honor to receive this designation from our state officials and will provide opportunities for grant applications focused on funding for law enforcement training and equipment.'
Communities are eligible for the designation based on efforts to reduce crime, make substantial investments in public safety and develop collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community's commitment will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program's goals.
Among the efforts of Joplin police that brought about acceptance as a Blue Shield agency is the department's collaboration with residents through the Joplin Police Department's Citizens Advisory Committee, its ongoing outreach efforts into neighborhood policing, the establishment of a new Co-Responder Unit partnership with Ozark Center, and the work of the Flex Platoon targeting illegal drugs in the area, according to city officials.
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