What They Are Saying: Governor Mike Parson Backs The Blue

Parson Receives Backing Of FOP And Missouri Sheriffs, Signs Anti-Crime Bills

Law Enforcement Groups Across The State Are Backing Governor Mike Parson For Reelection

The Missouri Times: “The Missouri Fraternal Order of Police (MO FOP) endorsed Gov. Mike Parson in his gubernatorial campaign Monday…The organization is the state’s largest police union, representing more than 8,000 law enforcement officers in Missouri.”

Rick Inglima, President, Missouri FOP: “We are proud to stand with Governor Parson and appreciate his strong record of accomplishments and 100% commitment to law and order in his first term. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while so much is at stake in this election including the security of our communities. Let’s protect and keep Missouri safe, and elect Governor Mike Parson in November.”

Rob Dean, St. Louis County FOP: “I’ve served on the force for 24 years, Missouri law enforcement needs a governor who has our back, and that’s why I’m supporting Mike Parson. Governor Parson is fighting hard to protect your families and put violent repeat offenders behind bars.”

David Parrish, Missouri Sheriffs United: “As a 22-year law enforcement veteran, and a former Polk County Sheriff, the governor understands the needs of law enforcement. While many want to ‘defund the police’ Governor Parson will protect those who are sworn to protect all of our citizens. Knowing that law enforcement officers risk their lives to defend our families and our neighborhoods, he will do everything he can to provide them with the tools they need to do their job.”

Governor Mike Parson Enacted Legislation Aimed At Curbing Violent Crime

KRCG: “Governor Parson Signs Two Anti-Crime Bills Passed During Special Session”: “Governor Mike Parson signed two bills on Monday, one that creates a pretrial witness protection fund and another that removes residency requirements for public safety employees in St. Louis… HB 66 creates a Pretrial Witness Protection Fund in which law enforcement agencies can provide resources for the security of victims and witnesses and their immediate families. HB 46 removes the residency requirements for public safety employees in the City of St. Louis.”

Governor Mike Parson: “If we are to change violent criminal acts across our state, we must work together. We must support our law enforcement officers, and we must start prioritizing the prevention of violent crime. These two pieces of legislation are a great step in the right direction.”

Chief Rick Smith, Kansas City Police Department: “What we have here is a bill that gives the potential to set up our witnesses for success and not failure. And that sets up the criminal justice system for success, not failure. So I think what we’re doing here is a move in the right direction. I think there’s more room to grow in this field, but this is an important step forward for all of our citizens in Missouri.”

Chief Paul Williams, Springfield Police Department: “The number one tool that was asked for was this program… to provide witness protection that law enforcement can access during an investigation, at the early onset of an investigation, and through that investigation up to trial. There’s really no mechanism for us to protect those witnesses and really get those people who want to be a part of the investigation and come forward, but were absolutely scared to death.”

Jim Arnott, Greene County Sheriff: “In order for the witness to feel comfortable coming forward, you’ve got to protect them, and this is a great mechanism for that.”

State Representative Jonathan Patterson:“[W]hat law enforcement has told us is the number one thing they need to prosecute criminals is witnesses that are willing to come forward and testify as to what they saw, so that they can put these criminals behind bars.”

Springfield News-Leader: St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson And Police Officials “Pleaded” For Changes To The “Residency Rule” For Hiring Officers To The St. Louis Police Department. “The other bill attempts to help St. Louis hire more police officers by suspending a rule requiring them to live in the city for their first seven years on the force. Mayor Lyda Krewson and top city police officials pleaded for the change as they grappled with what could be the worst year for homicides in a half-century while short more than 100 officers, arguing that the “residency rule” is the No. 1 deal-breaker for would-be hires.”

Senator Tony Leutkemeyer: “The city of St. Louis is one of the most dangerous cities in America. It’s very difficult to recruit police officers. We’re hoping that by removing that residency requirement, by allowing police officers in St. Louis to choose where they and their family is going to live, that’s going to help them recruit more qualified officers.”