By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Missouri Department of Public Safety has declared Buchanan County a Blue Shield community.
The blue shield program designed by Governor Mike Kehoe recognizes communities that support law enforcement.
Sheriff Bill Puett says he’s proud of the support Buchanan County shows law enforcement
“When people talk about oh we hate the cops, we hate this, we hate that, I’m always very blessed to say that’s not us, that’s not Buchanan County, that’s not northwest Missouri,” Puett says on the KFEQmunnity show. “That we have a phenomenal community that wants to support law enforcement.”
Puett says that under the program, his officer will be able to apply for grants beginning in July that his office can use to aid the community
“You’ll be able to purchase other technology that you might not be able to get or not having to use local tax dollars that can be used for other things,” Puett explains. “So, we’re excited about that, we’re looking at some additional technology that we would like to bring on, especially in the crime scene realm and the training realm.”
Puett says also the funds can help in getting specialized training for officers, as well as other specialized training being offered through the blue shield designation.
Puett says this designation will also have a tremendous impact throughout the region through partnerships, saying if his office targets a specific need.
‘”Where the police department may be able to target another need, and Sheriff Gillett in Andrew County may be able to target another need, well at that point because we all work together if we address three needs, and we share our resources, then you can see how exponentially we benefit the region,” Puett says.
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