To make up for what Columbia (MO) police officials say is a short-handed patrol force, department leaders last week began trying to fill daytime coverage gaps by having detectives work patrol shifts.
Two detectives per day Sundays through Thursdays are shifting their duties from investigating crimes to answering calls for service and patrolling parts of the city, Columbia police Assistant Chief John Gordon said. Detectives will sign up for the shifts, which will be done on a rotating basis, and offer to patrol on days based on what is best for them as they work their existing caseloads.
It is expected to last until the end of the year when calls have been historically lower.
Police Chief Ken Burton told the Columbia City Council at Monday’s meeting that the department has 17 vacancies, and six officers are not working because of injuries. The vacancies and injured officers all are in the patrol bureau.
He called the issue “critical.”
The department made news this summer when the Chief attempted to place his lieutenants in ‘at will’ positions. That measure was eventuallyu rejected by the city.
