Grain Valley Police Department Officially Receives Missouri Blue Shield Designation
Grain Valley, MO (April 29, 2025) – This week, the City of Grain Valley, Police Department officially received the Missouri Blue Shield designation from the Missouri Department of Public Safety. This prestigious honor recognizes Missouri communities that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement.
The Missouri Blue Shield Program, created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03, recognizes local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration, and build strong community partnerships for public safety.
“Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community and state. It affects everything from families feeling secure to businesses having the confidence to invest and grow,” said Governor Kehoe. “We designed the Missouri Blue Shield Program to recognize communities that go above and beyond in creating a place where people want to live, work, and build their futures. A Missouri Blue Shield designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local governments across Missouri who are leading the way in making public safety a priority.”
“The Department of Public Safety is proud to work alongside communities like Grain Valley, that have shown exceptional dedication to enhancing public safety,” said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). “This program is about fostering collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our goal is to support these efforts, providing resources and guidance to help communities build sustainable, long-term solutions for crime reduction and public safety.”
"As Chief of Police, we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Governor Kehoe's Office and the Missouri Department of Public Safety,” said Chief Ed Turner with the Grain Valley Police Department. “The teamwork and networking allow the Grain Valley Police Department to provide the highest level of service to our community. It also promotes a strong work environment for staff to be safe and excel in their efforts. The Board of Aldermen's support allows us to fulfill our calling to serve. Their willingness to support our Blue Shield designation is in lockstep with the community's support."
Eligibility and Program Details
Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community’s commitment will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals.
Participation Incentives
Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Governor Kehoe’s Recommended Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2026. Communities will also be featured on Governor Kehoe’s social media pages as well as the DPS website to highlight their participation in the program.
About Grain Valley Policing Efforts
The City of Grain Valley earned a Missouri Blue Shield designation due to its exceptional commitment to public safety. This designation affirms the Grain Valley Police Department’s effort to create a safer, more secure environment for all who live and work here.
Here is a list of accomplishments over the past couple of years:
Accomplishments during the past two years:
- Investments in public safety:
- City passed a general bond and built a new state-of-the-art police building
- All police vehicles are on a Vehicle Equipment Replacement Plan (VERP)
- Top-of-the-line handguns with red dot sights were purchased and deployed (replaced)
- Top of the line rifles with red dot sights were purchased and deployed (replaced)
- All frontline police vehicles received new Mobile Data Terminals (MDT)/computers (replaced and added)
- Purchased all new class A and class B uniforms
- State traffic grants – cost sharing with state grant funding to combat hazardous driving and impaired drivers (drug and alcohol)
- Community policing initiatives:
- Chamber of Commerce and business district meetings
- Camp Focus – One week summer camp with Youth Court juvenile and separate camp for developmental outreach
- Cakes Cops, and Conversations (coffee with a cop), community pancake breakfast with the police department
- National Night Out – summer event
- Shop with a Cop – Christmas event
- RAD – self-defense for females
- First Impact – drivers training
- School District – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Recruitment and retention program:
- City conducts an annual department assessment exercise to promote communication, education, and involvement to foster a positive work environment
- The city has used dedicated social media to geographically target potential police officer applicants
- Animated YouTube videos have been developed, produced, and disseminated to promote GVPD pay and benefits.
- A GVPD recruitment team was established to target new police applicants, order promotional materials, attend job fairs, and brainstorm recruitment ideas.
- Reducing crime or creating innovative programs:
- Five (5) fixed License Plate Readers (LPR) and five (5) mobile vehicles mounted LPRs deployed or being deployed
- A police crime analysis position was created and filled to use an intelligence-led police model to advance crime-fighting efforts
- A new Lexis Nexus computer software is being implemented to enhance officers’ access to criminal activity to better respond to reports of crime. The new software will also provide community members with direct access to criminal activity and police response.
- Anti-crime task forces:
- GVPD has a detective assigned to the Jackson County Drug Taskforce
- Two GVPD members are chairs for Mid Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Council (RHSCC) Law Enforcement subcommittees
- Coordinating with Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with a regional tactical team, Emergency Response Team (ERT)
- Crime Analyst regional networking group coordinating with MIAC, Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), and KC Regional Fusion Center.
- GVPD in compliance with the following Missouri State Statutes: sections 43.505, 43.544, 590.030, 590.650.3, 590.700, and 590.1265, RSMo.
- 43.505. Uniform Crime Reporting System
- 43.544. Intoxication—related traffic offenses
- 590.030. Basic training, minimum standards established — age, citizenship and education requirements established by director — issuance of a license — federal Rap Back program, agencies to enroll
- 590.650. Racial profiling — minority group defined — reporting requirements — annual report
- 590.700. Definitions — recording required for certain crimes
- 590.1265. Citation of law — use-of-force incidents reporting, standards and procedures
*Photo credits to Bob Greenspan.*
