"With the arrival of new Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks, the agency has been reviewing operations and programming to address crime in the community," said Sergeant Jason Ludwig.

                According to Spinks, "Community leaders I've already met, along with city staff and citizens have voiced three key areas to look at. First, how to partner to address families and kids in-crisis as well as mental health issues; second, illegal drugs in town and third, connecting with and informing of citizens about our work."

The Parsons Police Department will be appointing a new Detective to work with families and kids in-crisis, improve mental health crisis response and to be a lightening rod to connect with community resources (government, non-profit, civic & faith-based). "We want to connect folks in-need to helping agencies and resources as quickly as possible and divert issues from becoming criminal," said Ludwig.

The department is partnering with Sheriff Darren Eichinger, County Attorney Stephen Jones as well as other agencies to revitalize and expand narcotics enforcement in Labette County. Planning is in progress on new strategies for 2019.

The Parsons Police Department is also increasing communication through press releases, community presentations, the weekly 'Rap Sheet' radio show and a new annual report and outreach efforts that will be unveiled in 2019.

Today the Parsons Police Department is proud to share their latest evolution to the citizens of Parsons. The new Police Annex will now house the entire Investigation Division to better serve the public. The current police facility, built in 1994, has become cramped over the past 24 years and has some structural challenges.

The Police Annex, formerly known as Tucker Markham Law Office located at 1831 Washington, is the newest addition to the Police Department's upcoming changes. This building will be used to house the detectives who will be able to keep investigations separate from the day-to-day operations of the Police Department. This allows Detectives to interview victims, witnesses and complainants in a newly designed Soft Interview Room to reduce stress and increase privacy.

A new "Family Support Room" will be walled in to allow the detectives to keep people or children who are in-crisis, a safe private area separated from public view. With the help of a new detective position the Parsons Police Department will be able to allow children to feel safe while being placed in out of home care or while receiving service.

The new Police Annex will house three full-time detectives, and a future volunteer program that will support services for families and kids in-crisis.   

######