Webster Groves police outline community education event, new bike unit and staffing progress

Webster Groves Police Chief Vincent Simmons told the Police‑Community Engagement Board that the department is preparing a late‑spring community education event and plans to launch a bicycle patrol team by early summer as part of a broader community‑policing push.

Simmons said the department is entering budget planning for fiscal 2026 (July–June) while continuing investigations into a recent on‑duty crash that investigators later linked to a medical emergency for an officer. "We released information when we could. We did our due diligence," Simmons said, adding that detectives and patrol are working with the prosecutor's office and other partners and that the department will release more information as it becomes available.

The nut graf: The chief framed the community education event and bike team as steps to increase visibility and transparency amid social‑media criticism and to build relationships with residents. He said the event — likely a weeknight session, roughly 60–90 minutes, at the recreation center in late spring (April or early–mid May) — will be organized in partnership with the PCEB and include brief, accessible presentations, Q&A, and family‑focused activities.

Simmons described operational changes and promotions, saying the department has "promoted Eric Weimer to assistant chief of police, promoted Josh Weber to captain," and praised Erin Clippy, a member of his staff, for coordinating recruiting and testing. He said the department is "getting closer to being full staffed" and hopes to be at budgeted levels within six months; he noted the department was budgeted for 48 officers and is "about 42 right now." "We are getting closer to being full staffed, and I'm hoping within the next 6 months that those getting full staff, cross your fingers for us," Simmons said.

On the bike team, Simmons said officers will be chosen through letters of interest and interview and that bicycles will supplement crowd and event patrols such as the parade and carnivals. "Bikes and families and kids and police on bikes — residents love bicycle officers," he said.

Board members asked whether the event would include time for questions and answers; Simmons said he expects to allow ample Q&A and to keep presentations brief so residents will engage. Board members also discussed using FAQs and the PCEB website to explain police procedures and why the department cannot always immediately release details in ongoing investigations.

Ending: Simmons asked the board to act as "force multipliers" — board members who can point residents to official releases rather than to social‑media speculation — and invited board members to call or text him with questions they can’t resolve publicly.