Tagged: Dan Isom

The praise was widespread, and the plaques and gifts many on Tuesday as local, state and federal law enforcement agencies gathered at the headquarters of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to pay tribute to Chief Dan Isom.

Isom is retiring in January to take a position with the criminology department at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Isom, who has been chief since October 2008, has his bachelor's, masters and doctorate from the school.

The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners met for the first time since the retirement announcement of Police Chief Dan Isom.  Foremost on the boards’ agenda was establishing a process for vetting and interviewing potential candidates for chief.

Commissioner Richard Gray says the board plans to take a number of steps, similar to those taken when hiring a corporate CEO.  Including such things as a psychological examination to determine leadership skills, looking at old tax returns, and also engaging the public.

The St. Louis Police Department is using a new strategy to curb crime.

Aggravated assaults with firearms are up about 20 percent so far this year over last year.

The police department recently began working with University of Missouri-St. Louis criminology professor Rick Rosenfeld to reduce violent crime.

St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom says the new strategy is to flood high-crime areas with officers during evening hours.