By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
One officer from the St. Joseph Police Department recently graduated from a nationally recognized program out of Northwestern University.
Captain Stephen Cotter completed the 10-week course through Northwestern’s Center for Public Safety, hosted by the Clay County Sheriff's Office in Liberty.
Police Chief Paul Luster says officers participating in programs like this are a great benefit to the city, and also their careers, and was excited Cotter got the opportunity
"Excited that we have the opportunity to send him there because I think it just helps us so much as we serve the community, it just enhances those skills to be able to go get the latest skills and knowledge that's related directly to policing," Luster tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.
Cotter was one of 18 students who graduated from the program. The class had key focuses on leadership, organizational behavior, and policy development among others.
Cotter participating in the course is part of an emphasis by Luster to have command staff work with a nationally recognized school.
Next year, one officer will take part in the FBI National Academy, Luster himself took part in a course as well. Luster says with these schools an important part is learning national best practices
"Obviously just a lot of that is the networking that you're able to do at these schools," Luster explains. "I have a group right now, I went to that school several years ago now, and we still have a text thread that we bounce off ideas or hey who has a policy on this can you send it to me? So, just that networking and being able to get that national perspective."
Luster says sometimes you get siloed where you are at and can become blind to the best national perspective, so getting to work with others from around the nation opens officers’ eyes to that
Cotter graduating from the course out of Northwestern isn't the only highlight for the St. Joseph Police. Luster and officers got to watch as one of their own was honored by Missouri Governor Mike Parson.
Officer Justin McElroy was awarded the Governors Medal of Valor for his role in stopping the threat posed by an armed person who led police on a car chase.
Luster says officers being honored like this is a morale booster
"I always think the importance of positive reinforcement is you have to reward those acts, whether it’s bravery or just going above and beyond, that really fosters that culture of excellence in our department," Luster says.
The award honors heroic public safety acts beyond the call of duty during 2023.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.