The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

The recent census shows an increase in the populations of many Mid-Missouri cities.

In fact, Columbia now has an official population of more than 100,000 people.

Columbia Police Administrators said they need more patrol officers and investigators.  Now that Columbia’s population has grown to more than 100,000 people, the amount of crimes has also grown.  There are currently 152 sworn police officers working Columbia’s streets.

Columbia Police Sgt. Jill Wieneke said, “We need officers to staff the downtown unit which is 4 to 5 officers and a sergeant.  We kind of had to borrow in the meantime to staff that unit.  We need the officers to replace that unit.  That’s just one example.  We certainly feel like there’s some growth that we need to have, especially in the patrol unit and the investigative unit.”

Over the past 4 years, the Columbia Police Department’s authorized strength, or in other words, the number of sworn officers allowed under the city budget, has grown from 149 officers to 160 officers.

The Jefferson City Police Department has 88 sworn officers for a population of 39,247.  Jefferson City Police Administrators said they could use more officers as they face a tight budget.

Jefferson City Police Captain Doug Shoemaker said, “I think we are very fortunate right now, based upon the budget, to be able to maintain what we have and try to look forward to the future.  Perhaps, we can plan on seeing more officers as we are able to do so and is fiscally responsible.”

Fulton Police Chief Steve Myers oversees 28 commissioned officers for a population of 12,128.  Myers says he can use more police on the streets.  Depending on the availability of federal grant money, the Fulton Police Department could lose an officer next year.  Representatives from the Columbia, Jefferson City and Fulton Police Departments all agree they need more officers.

They also said that’s not likely as populations continue to grow and city budgets remain tight.

Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton has plans to replace police substations with precinct stations to get more productivity from his staff.

While a police substation offers limited service, a precinct station would operate on its own without assistance from police headquarters.