Missouri DPS revamps officer training amid growing concerns

Revising deadly force statutes, statewide database of use-of-force incidents

New regulations to be implemented by January 2023

Amid a rise in high-profile incidents involving police use of force, the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced plans to overhaul its officer training program and implement stricter accountability measures.

Key changes include:

• Deadly force statutes: Revising guidelines on when officers are authorized to use deadly force.
• Statewide database: Creating a statewide database to track all use-of-force incidents involving law enforcement.

The DPS emphasized the need to restore public trust and ensure transparency in policing practices. The new regulations will be implemented by January 2023.

These revisions follow a series of incidents that raised concerns about police use of force in Missouri, including the controversial death of Mansur Ball-Bey in 2020.

Study: Increase in police use of force incidents

According to a recent study by the Missouri Attorney General's Office, there has been a significant increase in police use of force incidents in recent years.

The study found that:

• The number of use-of-force incidents increased by 15% between 2019 and 2021.
• Deadly force incidents increased by 20% during the same period.

Concerns raised about racial disparities

Critics have also raised concerns about racial disparities in police use of force. African Americans are disproportionately more likely to experience police violence, according to a 2021 report by the NAACP.

The DPS acknowledges these concerns and has vowed to take steps to address racial bias in policing.

Conclusion

The Missouri DPS's overhaul of its officer training program is a significant step towards addressing concerns about police use of force. However, it remains to be seen whether these changes will effectively reduce incidents of excessive force and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.