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Colonel Ronald
A. Battelle
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Colonel
Battelle is a nearly 40 year veteran of the County Police Department
and was promoted to Chief of Police on October 1, 1990. He is the
first officer in the 49 year history of the Department to advance
through the ranks to the position of Chief of Police and is
responsible for the overall operation of the almost 1000 member
Department which serves a population of over 1,000,000.
Colonel
Battelle was appointed to the Police Department as a police
officer on October 1, 1965 and served in patrol and detective
assignments. His management experience as a sergeant (1970), lieutenant
(1971), captain (1975) and major (1978) include patrol, criminal
investigation and staff assignments. His last command prior to
being promoted to Chief of Police was Commanding Officer of the
Division of Criminal Investigation (1985-1990).
Chief
Battelle earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Northeast
Missouri State University in 1976 and is a graduate of the FBI
National Academy, the FBI National Executive Institute and the
U.S. Secret Service Dignitary Protection Academy, Member of the
International Association of Chief's of Police Education and
Training Committee and Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee.
He was also co-host of the 1993 Centennial IACP Conference. He is
a member of the Board of Managers of the St. Louis County and
Municipal Police Academy; Member and past Chairman of the St.
Louis Area Police Chiefs= Association, Vice Chairman of the Major
Case Squad of Greater St. Louis; Member of the REJIS Commission;
Member of the Peace Officers Standards (POST) Commission for the
State of Missouri, Chairman of the Housing Authority of St. Louis
County and is a graduate of the Leadership St. Louis Program.
Chief Battelle served in the Air Force and was stationed at the
United States Air Force Academy.
Since
his appointment as Chief several new programs, primarily
Neighborhood Policing, have been instituted, including the
Citizen Police Academy, Teen Police Academy, a newly instituted
Community Service Committee which will enhance Neighborhood
Policing programs Countywide, Operation SAFE for elderly
assistance, as well as informative brochures regarding Firearm
Safety for Children and the Parent=s Guide to Preventing Child
Abduction, Business Watch Program, County Watch Program, DARE
Program, DANGER Program for Parents, Gun Buyback Program,
Neighborhood Watch, SAFE Schools Hotline, SAFE Schools
Partnership. With the new Communications Center
in operation, numerous municipalities are contracting for
dispatching service, along with the nationally acclaimed Computer
Assisted Report Entry (CARE) system. Chief Battelle was
responsible for the establishment of a new Anti-Gang Unit, as
well as DWI Enforcement Unit, Bicycle Patrol Unit,
Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, Precinct Neighborhood
Police Stations and School Resource Officers. In May of 1996
Chief Battelle was selected as the ŇOutstanding Missouri Police
Chief of the YearÓ. In September of 1998, under the leadership of
Chief Battelle, the Department attained International
accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), making the St. Louis County Police
Department the largest local police department to achieve this
accreditation.
Chief
Battelle has also participated in the statewide Homeland Security
Panel to deal with terrorist threats, including development of
first responder protocols and logistic and equipment needs. Chief
Battelle oversaw acquisition efforts through federal grants to
purchase equipment for police, fire and emergency services
personnel throughout St.
Louis County.
In
April of 2004, Chief Battelle announced his plans to retire from
the St. Louis County Police Department as of June 1, 2004. At
this time he became the Executive Director of Backstoppers, Inc.,
Police and Firefighters Fund. He also became a partner with
Battelle, Gagen and Associates (BGA); a consulting firm dealing
with Homeland Security issues.
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