JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (KMOX) - Missouri officers will soon be required to take annual training for recognizing implicit bias and de-escalation techniques.
The POST Commission, which sets officer standards and training for every Missouri officer, voted that officers will need to take a one-hour course in each area every year, starting in 2022. It will be part of 24 hours of required annual continuing education training.
The commission also gave tentative approval to start a law enforcement basic training academy at Lincoln University in Jefferson City. If approved, it'd be the first Historically Black College or University in the country to host officer training.
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“At its June meeting, I challenged the POST Commission to take a leading role in advancing the training Missouri provides its officers and equip them to improve relations with the public,” Gov. Mike Parson said. “I applaud the commissioners for following through on that challenge and carefully considering the issues faced by law enforcement today with input from both Missouri citizens and law enforcement officers.”
Licensing of a Lincoln University academy by the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) could come only after a site visit and review of planned policies and procedures, proposed courses, lesson plans, instructor qualifications, and the academy’s advisory board. The POST Commission would then make a final recommendation to DPS on whether to grant the license.
“We believe these training changes, which were unanimously approved by the POST Commission, will lead to better interactions between officers and the public and can help strengthen relations with the communities we in law enforcement serve,” said Commission Chair and Platte County Sheriff Mark Owen.
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