There are those who advocate for “Defunding the Police” or even disarming traffic enforcement officers. While it is important for policymakers to hold agencies accountable for their spending, fewer officers and resources are not the answer. Traffic stops are the most likely scenario where officers are attacked and killed, pulling someone over for a traffic infraction is actually the most dangerous action an officer takes on a regular basis. Disarming traffic officers would be a tragic mistake.

Lack of training and administrative support leads to officers who are not prepared to serve and a management structure unable to provide adequate training and supervision.We need to support our Police with competitive pay and increase training. Specifically, a certain training called Crisis Intervention Team training.

As the current Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) instructor for my department, I highly advocate for CIT training for all officers. 

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training is a program designed for law enforcement officers to provide them with the skills and knowledge to effectively handle encounters with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The training focuses on teaching officers how to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations, to identify and understand mental illness, and to connect individuals in crisis with appropriate mental health services. The goal of CIT training is to improve public safety and reduce the likelihood of harm to both officers and individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

We need leaders at city hall who understand law enforcement and can implement effective policies. As a Deputy Sheriff, I work alongside the brave men and women of the St. Louis Police department who risk their lives for our citizens every day. I will support them in obtaining the resources they need to provide the people of St. Louis with the quality police department they deserve.

The video below from NAMI is a great overview of the benefits of a CIT Program.