Specialty Units & Programs

Accident Investigations

Accident Investigation Officers investigate serious and fatality traffic accidents. These officers undergo extensive training in motor vehicle accident investigation and accident reconstruction in addition to training on forensic mapping software and data collection software. These officers have specialized training in advanced crash investigation and reconstruction, as well as specialized high-tech equipment to investigate serious and deadly crashes.

Communications Unit

Police Department Communications

The Communications Center is a 24-hour operation and operates 365 days a year. The center dispatches for the Police Department, the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). It is comprised of specially trained non-commissioned (civilian) Communications Officers, also known as 911 Telecommunicators or Dispatchers, who operate the City’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and radio communications system.  

Communications Officers are the first interaction most citizens have with public safety services for the City of Liberty. They are the “lifeline” for Police, Fire and EMS personnel in the field, as they serve as their primary contact for help and assistance. Each member of the unit receives special training to recognize when citizens are in distress and to dispatch calls for service. Multi-tasking is very important. At a moment’s notice they could be dealing with a life threatening injury, a multi-car traffic accident or a crime in progress involving a dangerous felon. They have to gather necessary information, dispatch and coordinate first responders by radio and log activities into our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. 

Our Communications Officers also process many everyday requests, such as citizens requesting to speak with department members, requests for telephone numbers and transfers to other city services and jurisdictions. They find and relay important information to first responders. They are trained to provide assistance to people with particular needs such as the elderly, subjects with mental health or substance abuse problems, juveniles and suicidal callers, and they can operate the telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD/TTY). 

The Communications Unit is also responsible for assisting people in the Police Department lobby.   
 

Call 816-439-4701 For Non-Emergency Communications with Police, Fire or EMS

Call 911 for Emergency Communications with Police, Fire & EMS

The City of Liberty subscribes to state-of-the-art E-911 equipment which allows for the caller’s information to be displayed on a monitor without ever having to establish voice contact. Whenever possible, please talk with the dispatcher and provide as much information as you can about your emergency.  As a reminder, make sure the buttons on your phone do not inadvertently dial 911. The Police Department receives numerous calls without people realizing the accidental connection, which could delay response to an actual emergency.

Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU)

The Criminal Investigations Unit serves as a support function for the police department’s Patrol Division. Primary responsibilities include: 

• Processing crime scenes
•  Investigating crimes involving persons and property by conducting interviews with suspects, victims and witnesses 
• Conducting background investigations of prospective police department employees including truth verification
• Presenting completed criminal investigations for prosecution
• Reporting case clearance statistics

For questions or comments on a case, please contact 816.439.4730.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a community partnership of law enforcement, mental health and addiction professionals, people who live with mental illness and/or addiction disorders, their families and other advocates. It is an innovative community response model designed to help those in crisis access treatment for improved outcomes. CIT improves communication, identifies resources for those in crisis and promotes officer and community safety. Our department sends officers to basic CIT training and some officers attend advanced classes that focus on specific mental health areas, including youth, veterans, Alzheimer's and autism. The team effort is rounded out with our CIT trained 911 dispatchers.

The Liberty Police Department (LPD) began sending officers to CIT training in 2008. LPD sends officers to a 40 hour comprehensive basic CIT training. Once their initial training is completed, CIT officers wear a special pin on their uniforms so they are easily identifiable.

Crisis Negotiations Unit 

The Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) is often deployed with the SWAT team and is comprised of officers and supervisors who have been specially trained in crisis negotiations. Team members are committed to the safe resolution of situations when possible through negotiation or mediation of critical incidents.

School Resource Officers

One way we are connected to the community is through the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. We have two SROs assigned to Liberty Middle Schools. The SROs are positive role models and are available to assist school personnel, parents and students with issues and concerns. In addition to developing relationships, our SROs present the Liberty Intervention Focusing on Education curriculum to middle school students. The program includes a Science Based Drug Education program, along with an internet safety program and a program which covers sexual harassment in the school setting.  

SWAT Unit (Special Weapons and Tactics)

The primary goal for Liberty Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operations is the preservation of life through the strategic use of all available time, tactics and resources with minimal disruption to the community in a manner that reduces the chance of violence, injury or death to citizens, officers and suspects. SWAT team members are trained and equipped to resolve situations that are high risk in nature and require unique and specialized skills. All team members must pass a rigorous selection process, achieve and maintain fitness and weapons proficiency and successfully complete all required training to achieve and maintain operational status on the team.  SWAT is an additional assignment with all members of the Liberty Police SWAT team all having other primary duties as officers and supervisors in the police department.  Members train as a team and receive approximately 200 hours of tactical training per year to maintain a high level of proficiency and a constant state of readiness. The SWAT team works closely with other units including the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) unit, as well as with tactical teams from other law enforcement agencies in the area.

Traffic Safety Unit 

The goal of the Traffic Safety Unit is to decrease the number of injury and fatal traffic crashes on Liberty’s roadways.
 
The unit enforces traffic safety laws with special attention to hazardous moving violations, seat belt laws and impaired driving. Along with the Patrol Division, the Traffic Safety Unit investigates vehicle crashes in the City of Liberty. The unit also coordinates deployment of speed display signs to give drivers feedback and encourage compliance with traffic safety laws.

The Traffic Unit also:

• Assist in parades
• Conduct traffic safety presentations
• Dignitaries/funeral escorts
• DUI enforcements
• Enforces safety belt laws
• Participates in state-wide initiatives addressing aggressive and/or impaired driving

Police motorcycle officers work in traffic safety and these officers have special training in the safe operation of a police motorcycle. The unit also engages the public through educational efforts and multi-jurisdictional projects involving many partners. 

Unmanned Aircraft (Drone)

The Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit (UAS) is composed of several specially-trained department members. They are trained to use drones in a variety of special public safety operations such as helping to find missing people, searching for actively fleeing suspects and providing assistance at complex crime scenes.