Burton shows commitment to community

New CPD chief has approved the PERF and created new positions.

By Katherine Miller

Published May 7, 2009

Columbia Police Department Chief Kenneth Burton described his first month in Columbia as fast and furious.

Burton began work as chief April 1. Since then, he said he's stayed busy by meeting with each employee for a minimum of 30 minutes. He said he met with about 40 percent of the department already.

Burton said working out the department's budget is his top priority right now, but he's already made some changes.

Burton signed off on the Police Executive Research Forum Taser policy Wednesday morning, and officers received a copy Thursday.

Coalition to Control Tasers attorney Ed Berg said the PERF standards deal with three areas - standards, training and oversight.

Coalition member Mary Hussmann said the organization was pleased with how fast Burton acted on the measure, even though the original May 1 deadline wasn't met. She said the organization had been discussing the issue of Tasers for 11 months after City Council unanimously voted to work toward every officer having a Taser.

"Even though the deadline was May 1 and that didn't quite get met, they were very close," Husmann said. "I think he was aware, even in the interview process, that the PERF standards were something that we thought would be helpful in terms of making things safer."

Burton said the Taser issue is one example of the openness he intends to keep at CPD.

"One of the things I looked at when I first arrived was adopting those PERF standards," Burton said. "I think that this can be a pretty good example of how I intend to work with the media and with concerned citizens."

Burton also created the positions of deputy chief and public information officer.

Burton appointed former Interim Chief Tom Dresner to the position of deputy chief to organize the administration as well as to create more time to get out into the community.

Dresner said he saw the need for a deputy chief position when he was interim chief.

"We want to really enhance public outreach to an extent we've never had before," Dresner said. "That's going to be more difficult if he doesn't have somebody in the helm while he's doing that."

Burton said the spokesman position held by officer Jesse Haden is designed to make media relations easier. He said the position wouldn't restrict access to anyone in the department. Reporters will simply coordinate appointments and interviews with Haden first.

Getting the department accredited is another item on his agenda.

First the department must organize their policies and procedures to submit to the Committee on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, a nationwide organization aimed to improve professionalism in police departments.

Although there is no timeline for when that will be completed, Burton said he has "instilled a sense of urgency" on the issue.

He said they have also been working on geographically-based policing, starting a 30-day trial on a new program called CrimeReports.com, where residents can see the crimes occurring in Columbia in real time. If the software is compatible with their data after the 30-day trial, the Web site will be available to residents.

Overall, Berg said he is pleased with Burton's actions.

"He shows he's decisive," Berg said. "From the decisions he's made, he's shown he's grounded on police standards and procedures. He seems to be a person who will be making solid decisions."

Councilman Paul Sturtz said he has been impressed with Burton's commitment to openness.

"I think there's still a long path ahead in terms of winning the public's trust in the Police Department, and stitching together alliances with people all over the city," he said. "It's a long-term project, and I think the chief is well on his way."