Photo of the 1985 Maryland Heights Police Department
On May 9, 1985, the City of Maryland Heights incorporated, and on August 16 of that year, the Maryland Heights Police Department was formed. City staff, including the MHPD, operated out of a converted warehouse at 212 Millwell Drive. There were 40 commissioned police officers that came from a variety of small and large area police departments, including one officer that had been with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Five dispatchers and two secretaries made up the noncommissioned personnel. The officers painted the interior of the warehouse and constructed the first jail, which consisted of four wooden walls and a chair.
These officers took to the streets on August 17 in ten used police vehicles purchased from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The vehicles sported the "gum drop" type police light bars and operated on a radio frequency in the 800 mhz band. The officers were under the command of Chief Neil Kurlander, Deputy Chief Thomas O'Connor, Captain Robert Nichols, and Sergeant Earl Rhodus.
The internationally accredited department has since grown to 78 commissioned police officers, 17 non-commissioned employees and 12 reserve officers. Serious crimes (murders, rapes, robbery) are rare in Maryland Heights, and the department's rate for cleaning up crimes is higher than the national average.
In October of 2008, city staff, including the Police Department, moved into the new Maryland Heights Government Center located at 11911 Dorsett Road, just down the street from the old station.
In 2009, the Maryland Heights Police Department became only the second agency in the State of Missouri to receive certification under the Missouri Police Chief's Certification Program. In 2016, the Maryland Heights Police Department received international accreditation at the annual conference of the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
The men and women of the Maryland Heights Police Department take pride in their history and look forward to the challenges of the future.
The communications team operates our 24-hour dispatch center. They receive and process all 9-1-1 emergency calls, as well as all non-emergency calls for service. They also work hard to assist our police officers with their investigative efforts by helping to run records and warrant checks on suspects. If you have a request for non-emergency police service you can either call (314) 298-8700 or you can email the On-Duty Dispatcher at: mhdispatch@marylandheights.com. This email is monitored 24 hours per day by each on-duty dispatcher. For all emergency situations, please call 9-1-1.
This is our uniform patrol division responsible for around-the-clock protection of the city. They provide traffic enforcement, bicycle patrol, accident and criminal investigations, crime scene processing and an above average response to crimes in progress.
The Detective Bureau is responsible for investigation and follow-up of all crime reports generated by our patrol services officers. They are also responsible for background investigations and all major case work, as well as for evidence processing, juvenile case management and working with the St. Louis Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force. Detectives from the Bureau of Investigations also assist with transporting prisoners, with warrant services, and with narcotics and vice enforcement.
This team of problem solvers focuses on identifying threats and problems to businesses and residents alike. They work hard to correct these issues and to enhance day-to-day policing activities through the integration of information, investigative activities and the use of technical equipment. These officers also serve the City as a fully functional tactical team prepared to respond to any threat which may present itself.
These four legged officers enhance the department's operations in drug detection and missing person searches. Our canines are nationally certified by the Master Trainers of the North American Police Working Dog Association, the National Police Canine Association and the Missouri Police Canine Association.
This community relations division handles crime prevention and citizen education programs. It includes School Resource Officers at the Pattonville High School and Pattonville Heights Middle School, as well as a D.A.R.E. Officer who doubles as a School Resource Officer at our local elementary schools. This division also has a team of Reserve Police Officers who are used to supplement patrol services and assist at special events throughout the City.
This team of highly skilled clerks maintain all of our police reports, arrest reports and all other documents required to comply with state and federal information acts. They also assist our officers and detectives in their preparations for court hearings. Further, they assist our community by providing applicant fingerprint processing.
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