Neosho police chief outlines evidence reforms, new testing equipment and staffing concerns in year‑end report

The Police Chief told the Neosho City Council that the department fielded 17,467 calls for service in 2025 and is undertaking a series of operational reforms aimed at improving reporting, evidence management and forensic capability.

The chief said the department moved evidence into a temperature‑controlled facility, trained a new evidence manager and identified personnel to serve as forensic technicians. He said those steps are intended to ensure evidence can be hand‑counted and provided more reliably to prosecutors.

The chief described a state‑provided "subtoxin" machine (as presented in the meeting) that the department has used in recent months to identify impairment by controlled substances; he reported the equipment contributed to six to seven successful arrests for impairment by controlled substances so far and said the department will seek grants to acquire three more such devices and accompanying testing instruments.

The presentation also covered selection of a records‑management system and a multiyear Lexipol policy update process that staff expect to complete in 12–18 months. The chief warned of staffing pressures: the department has lost several officers over recent years, many experienced officers are approaching retirement within the next few years, and it takes roughly eight to ten months to train a new recruit to full independence. He said he will propose staffing and scheduling changes in the next fiscal year aimed at reducing burnout and improving retention.

The chief closed by thanking the council and city leadership for their support and said the department will continue to report progress to the council.