Police Chief Carl Baker reported that officers there are responsible for crime prevention and educational programs, such as fraud seminars for seniors and credit card fraud prevention for merchants. They also patrol, on foot or by bike, in and around the mall. The Police Department recently opened the Chester Station, its third district station. Approximately 120 police officers report to the station, a southern base of operations. Baker said these stations are part of a comprehensive effort for the Police Department to be more visible and accessible throughout the county.
Discussions are under way regarding additional locations.
The School Resource Officer program continued a successful collaboration with attendance officers and other officials to enforce laws and keep kids in school. Cooperating with federal authorities and other local and state law enforcement agencies, Chesterfield's police quickly investigated and apprehended the Cuban national suspected of manufacturing and detonating three bombs in the area and those involved in the murder of a Marine. The Emergency Communications Center continues to efficiently dispatch calls for fire, EMS and police. Early in 2001, a new emergency communications system that has been years in the planning will go on line. Communication between county agencies will improve, as will direct communication with other jurisdictions.