 |
About Us | |||||||||||||||||
Communications | |
| Translation and interpretation services are available and provided by a third party. Tours can be provided to groups, in order to schedule a tour call the Community Relations Officers at (636) 227-9636. | |
Computerized Criminal Processing and Photo Imaging System | |
crime in the area. Digital Fingerprint System
The Ballwin Police Department utilizes the Intoximeter as part of impaired driving investigations to help improve roadway safety within the community. The Intoximeter is a certified breath alcohol testing instrument used by trained officers to accurately measure a subject’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). These tests are conducted in accordance with Missouri State regulations and are an important tool in enforcing DWI laws, removing impaired drivers from the roadway, and helping keep the public safe. | |
Mobile Data Terminals
Mobile Data Terminals are computer systems that are installed in patrol vehicles. From these terminals, officers are able to review an individual’s arrest history, driver’s license status, and check for active Warrants or Wants. In addition to obtaining this information, officers have the ability to view a digital arrest photograph of a person, if one has been entered into the system. The officers are able to make these inquires on the scene, which will greatly reduce the amount of non-emergency radio traffic. Officers can enter and review police reports from their vehicles and view calls for service utilizing our mobile computer aided dispatch system. | |||
Emergency Medical Equipment & Officer Preparedness | |||
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are deployed in all Ballwin Police Department patrol vehicles, allowing first responding officers the opportunity to immediately assist victims experiencing cardiac arrest. Time to defibrillation is one of the most critical factors in survival, and these sophisticated, easy-to-operate devices enable officers to provide life-saving care prior to the arrival of paramedics.
In addition to AEDs, all patrol vehicles are equipped with trauma kits, and officers have a personal trauma kit designed to fit on their vest for quick access during emergencies. Officers are also required to carry a tourniquet on their vest at all times, ensuring they are prepared to provide immediate medical aid during critical incidents involving severe injuries or life-threatening bleeding. | |||
The Village of Ballwin appointed its first Marshal, Fred Rethmeier on January 5, 1951. Marshals after Rethmeier were elected into office. Hermann Baumer was elected marshal of Ballwin in 1957 when Ballwin became a fourth-class city. He bought and installed a base radio station and his wife, Lucille, handled the phone calls. A porch light turned on by his wife regularly signaled him to return home at 539 Manchester Road for a call for police assistance. In 1958, the city was able to purchase its first police car. It was shared by Baumer and the four officers who rode part-time in the evenings. Ballwin hired George Arft to be its first full-time police officer in 1959.
On April 27, 1964 the City of Ballwin formed a full-time police department appointing Philip St. Onge as the first Chief of Police; he served until 1965. The Department purchased its second marked patrol car that same year. Chief St. Onge resigned in 1965 and Donald “Red” Loehr, a native son and an ex-Cardinal baseball player turned policeman, was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor Robert Jones. In 1967, a Communications Section was added to the Police Department and four dispatchers were hired. In 1970 the force had 12 uniformed officers and 4 marked cars. After serving for 35 years, Chief Loehr retired in 1997 and James Biederman served as police chief until the end of 2007. The Police Department building was named the ‘Donald “Red” Loehr Police and Courts Center in 2002. Steven Schicker served as Chief of Police from March 2008 until the end of 2015. On April 11, 2016, Kevin Scott was sworn in as Chief of Police and served in that role for three years. Doug Schaeffler was sworn in as Police Chief on December 9, 2019 and served in that role for four years. Chief John Bergfeld was the Acting Chief of Police starting December 7, 2023 and was sworn in as Chief on July 23, 2024.
Document is in Adobe format, Adobe reader is required to view. Adobe reader may be downloaded from http://www.adobe.com.
The City of Ballwin and the Ballwin Police Department are in compliance with the standards set forth in Senate Bill #5, which was passed in 2015. In order to be in compliance, the City of Ballwin produces a balanced annual budget listing anticipated revenues and expenditures, as required in section 67.010. An annual audit is performed by a certified public accountant of the finances of the municipality that includes a report on the internal controls utilized by the municipality and prepared by a qualified financial consultant that is implemented to prevent misuse of public funds. This report also includes the current procedures which show compliance with, or reasonable exceptions to, the recommended internal controls. A cash management and accounting system for all revenues and expenditures is utilized by the City of Ballwin. Copies of these reports are available upon request from the City of Ballwin Government Center or online at https://www.ballwin.mo.us/Finnce-Overview/.
The City of Ballwin maintains adequate levels of insurance to minimize risk which includes: general liability coverage, police professional liability coverage, workers compensation benefits for injured employees under the provisions of chapter 287, and bonds for local officials as required by section 77.390, 79.260, 80.250, and local charter. A copy of these records is available upon request from the City of Ballwin Government Center.
Construction code review by existing staff, directly or by contract with a public or private agency, is available upon request from the City of Ballwin Government Center
A complete set of ordinances is available upon request from the City of Ballwin Government Center. The ordinances are also available online at library.municode.com/mo/ballwin.
The Ballwin Police Department has been accredited by the Missouri Police Chiefs Association since December 2016 and Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) since 2023.
Written policies on the safe operation of emergency vehicles (GO 14.1), including a policy on police pursuit (GO 14.3), the use of force/ defensive tactics by peace officers (GO 07-0), and citizen contacts (GO 16.5), are available upon request from the Ballwin Police Department. Written general orders outside of the ones listed above are available upon request from the Ballwin Police Department.
In addition to the above standards, the City of Ballwin, which is located inside of St. Louis County, is below 12.5% of annual general revenue for fines, bond forfeitures, and court costs for minor traffic violations. Records relating to this percentage on a specific year are available upon request from the City of Ballwin Government Center.
|
