The Bureau of Support Services encompasses those functions that generally support the officers in field by providing them with the tools necessary to carry out their mission. Those functions include Communications, Records Management, Information Technology, and the Public Information Officer. In addition, B.S.S. is responsible for a number of administrative functions including accreditation, inspections, budgeting and purchasing, and the maintenance of the facility and fleet. The BSS functions are under the command of Captain Sean Fagan.
The Communications Unit, staffed by nine full-time dispatchers, is a full service 911 public safety answering point that annually handles nearly 40,000 incoming calls for police, fire, and EMS services in Florissant. The communications center, located in the Florissant Police Department, was completely remodeled in 2002 and includes the latest in computer assisted dispatch equipment. The Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system is integrated with the department's records management system and allows the dispatchers to maintain a record status and activities of the officers in the field. Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracking of the units in the field allows the dispatchers to know the current location of each unit, and thereby capable of dispatching the closest unit to emergency situations.
The Records Unit is the repository for all of the police reports, traffic accident reports, and related documents. Police officers and detectives dictate their reports that are then transcribed into the records management system. By dictating reports from the field, officers remain in their patrol sectors thereby reducing response times to calls for service.
Those police and accident reports that are not restricted by law are available for sale at the Record Room. Reports are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. There is a $10 fee per report, payable by cash or money order.
Information Technology includes the management and maintenance of various computer systems throughout the department. Steve Weiersmueller is responsible for maintaining and managing these various systems. The department operates a complex records and CAD system that is linked to the officers in the field though mobile computers in every patrol car. As well receiving their calls for service through the mobile computers, officers can use them to make inquiries on stolen autos and wanted persons, email one another and the station, search local ordinances and state statutes, and access roll call information including photographs of wanted or missing persons.
Public Information and Crime Prevention are functions that foster relationships between the department and the community. Andy Haarmann is the department's Public Information Officer. Andy Haarmann coordinates the release of information on crime and department activities, including transmission of Uniformed Crime Reports to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Andy Haarmann also coordinates many department programs such as Neighborhood Watch, the Citizen Police Academy, the Community Emergency Response Training (C.E.R.T.) Program, the F.P.D. Roll Call cable access program and home security surveys.
