Hold on for this one. We're going to cover a few of the reasons why St Joe is the way it is. 1. I was a passenger in a vehicle that got rear-ended by a local business owner at 8th and Faraon, at about 2:45 in the afternoon. We called the police department, they said they would have someone on site shortly. We proceeded to wait for about an hour and a half as every police officer in town drove by us for shift change. Drove right by the accident, and you could even see a few of them frustrated that they couldn't get back to the station easily as part of the road was blocked. Local business owner apparently doesn't have time to deal with this and just leaves. When an officer finally responded and collected information, they did locate the person involved in the accident, but stated they could not issue any citations as they could not prove who was at fault in a rear end collision. 2. My apartment was broken into, they stole everything. The food, electronics, safe, cash etc. Three of my neighbors heard my door being kicked in and looked out to find someone carrying stuff out to a very identifiable vehicle, of which I knew the owner and gladly provided their information to the St Joe Police department, as well as serial numbers and details for everything removed from the property. They seemed frustrated that somebody actually asked them to come out and investigate a crime. And completely failed to investigate it. I found my property at miscellaneous pawn shops all over town for around the next year. They wouldn't even get my property back from the pawn shop, as it would require them investigating who actually pawned the items. The individual who committed the burglary was an CI for the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, his girlfriend was even friends with three of them on Facebook. The burglary was never properly investigated no property was recovered, no charges filed. 3. My car was broken into at my employer and numerous items totaling around it $800 in value or removed from the vehicle. Called the police, they show up the next day. They inform them that cameras on the property caught the burglary and the vehicle involved in high detail. The cop straight up tells me that they don't need to see the footage as the chances of catching the person involved is minimal. 4. I was 18 years old when this one happened. I pull into a friend's driveway on private property. Tell him I'm there to pick him up and he tells me he'll be out and about 10 minutes. Police officer proceeds to then pull on to private property and turn his lights on as if he is attempting to conduct a traffic stop. Gives me the routine about suspicious activity in the neighborhood, and that I need to identify myself, and let him search my car. On private property, when the officer did not even see the car in operation. In St Joe the criminals get treated like royalty and the honest hard-working people get treated like criminal scum.
Working at the St. Joseph Police Department was nothing short of a nightmare. The toxic culture that permeates every aspect of this organization is suffocating, leaving officers and the public alike to suffer the consequences. From the abhorrent treatment of civilians to the encouragement of bullying and discrimination of their employees, this department is a breeding ground for corruption and favoritism. First and foremost, the officers' treatment of the public is nothing short of deplorable. Instead of upholding their duty to protect and serve, many officers seem to relish in belittling and mistreating the very people they are meant to help. Civilians are met with disdain, disrespect, and even aggression, creating an environment of fear and hostility, and that’s only if the department decides the citizen’s case is “worthy” of investigation. The blatant disregard for basic human rights is not only shocking but also deeply disturbing. The leadership within the St. Joseph Police Department is equally culpable for fostering this toxic culture. Rather than setting an example of professionalism and integrity, they actively encourage and participate in the bad behavior exhibited by their subordinates. This lack of accountability trickles down, creating an environment where officers feel empowered to act with impunity, knowing that their superiors will turn a blind eye to their misconduct. One of the most alarming aspects of working at this department is the complete disregard for the mental health of its officers. Despite the well-documented psychological toll that law enforcement can take, there is a shocking absence of resources and support for those struggling with their mental well-being. Officers are left to grapple with the traumas they witness on a daily basis and the disgusting treatment they receive from their own coworkers, with no outlet or assistance to cope with the emotional burden. This neglect not only endangers the officers themselves but also compromises their ability to serve the community effectively. Perhaps the most egregious aspect of the St. Joseph Police Department is the blatant favoritism shown towards certain officers, regardless of their misconduct. Dirty officers, who engage in unethical practices and abuse their power, are allowed to remain within the department as long as they suck up to those in positions of authority. This blatant disregard for integrity and justice erodes public trust and perpetuates a cycle of corruption that is deeply ingrained within the department's fabric. In conclusion, working at the St. Joseph Police Department is an exercise in enduring a toxic culture, where officers treat the public with disdain, leadership actively participates in and encourages bad behavior, mental health support is nonexistent, and dirty officers are protected as long as they play the game. This department is a breeding ground for corruption and a betrayal of the public's trust.
If I could give SJPD zero stars I would. Their online reporting system either needs to be done away with or greatly improved. Nowhere in between. They are trying to make up for their lack of officers by telling you to online report things that 98% of the time you'll never get a response on unless you call. Make sure you save your case # because God knows they conveniently "won't be able to find you in the system" unless you have it. If they feel it's not worth their time or whatever happened it's somehow your own fault then they won't do anything. God forbid they have to do any extra work. There was recently a Sargent arrested for dwi as well. Stand up department we have here let me tell you.
Don't make fun of your inmates on Facebook for a cheap laugh. And you guys wonder why people don't like cops.
I have great respect for the men and women in blue . When they're not busy with a call they always help out. Don't break the law and they don't bother you unless they have to. Be understanding and respectful, comply and your on your way unless there's a good reason to pull you over and detain you. It's a high stress job quit making it personal unless you're a criminal and have something to hide.
I’ve been stoped a few times for speeding but that’s it, and the offices where only doing there jobs. We have great officers her in this town. The problem I see is people writing negative comments about these officers where there the ones giving officers a hard time. Listen, when you get pulled over for what ever reason, tinted windows, speeding, swerving to miss a animal ect. Just remain calm, don’t make sudden/fast movement and be nice. Look at it from a officers point of view, they get out of there car s ee someone moving around in there car, there don’t know if there hiding something or looking for something. I’ve only been stoped a handful of times in all my years and I’ve only ever had 1 experience that was not good. To elaborate on that it’s not that the stopping officer was bad by any means, he was just new, a rookie. Remember these officers do not have to do this job, I believe 99.9% of officers do this to help, and make a difference. Remember when you’re being pulled over and you might fell nervous, or down right scared the officer has no idea what there walking into. Unfortunately all too often while officers make routine traffic stops that’s when some individuals cause some of the absolute worst problems. So please understand that officer take extra precautions to not only ensure their safety by ensure your safety and everyone in your vehicle. I my self have never had a officer speak rude to me, be demeaning to me, or anything else. Why? Because if I’m pulled over I use common sense, act like a adult. Show respect and it will be given. Remember these officers have a very dangerous, and stressful profession, don’t add to that when you’re being pulled over by screaming and causing a scene by screaming, or causing the officer out. That’s you not only to out home town PD but to police officers everywhere.
I can drive across town see 10 traffic infractions,speeding,failure to yield,not yielding in cross walks,running 4 way stops down town thanks,hell running any stop sign or light.and I seen on multiple occasions a police officer or deputy witness and do nothing . City needs money? Do they know how much revenue they used to generate? But they want more officers and more money. Hey idea earn your keep!!!
Police officers are our only defense between us and the criminals. They need to be backed, and respected. I saw several postings that stated the persons had no interaction, they were going by what they "read". It is easy to post rude comments but the facts are not always accurate. Police cannot do anything about someone who "might" break the law, because those people have rights as well. Until they "do something" no crime has been committed. Not fair to down grade officers due to that. As for our home, we appreciate the men in Blue, they have helped us multiple times during vandalisms and thefts. Those Officers sometimes have to lay down their lives for strangers, and at the end of the day, they just want to go home to their families.
Very rude to the people they are supposed to be helping and never want to do their jobs. Someone broke into my fiancée's car and stole her car port phone charger and steering wheel cover. We both understand that this is a petty theft of very low value and the cops can't really do anything about it, but we still wanted to file a report so it goes on record for everyone to see as a public service for our fellow St. Joseph residents to know which neighborhoods to avoid. We didn't ask for anything more than to file a report. The cop on the phone acted as if we were ruining his day by making him do a few minutes of paperwork. This is St. Joseph, we know you don't have several crimes to solve, buddy. Quit acting like you're a hot shot in LA that needs to help bring in Pablo Escabar. You're not too busy to fill out a petty theft police report. Besides, it's your job to do so. Sorry if that inconveniences you, but think about us. We just got stolen from! A minor inconvenience for you to fill out a police report is pretty inconsequential to the person who just got stolen from. Cut the attitude. This is also not the first time we had to deal with our lazy department. Several months back we reported our neighbors for being extremely loud in the middle of the night despite us trying to get her to be quiet. We went as far as to knock on the door and she still ignored us. Filed a noise complaint with the department and an hour later our neighbor left without the police ever showing up. We live literally two blocks from the station. I can see it out my damn window. Is it really that hard to make the one minute drive over and stop someone from blaring music at 4 in the morning? Also, it's 4 in the morning, what else are you doing? Couple this with the fact that I always see them breaking driving laws. Speeding, parking where they're not supposed to, not using turn signals, etc. as if they're above the law just because they enforce it. That's not how that's supposed to work. Cops are supposed to lead by being exemplary citizens, not rats that enforce laws and act like they're above you. It's no wonder they don't get any respect in this town. I'm sure there are some great cops in this department, but I have yet to actually come across one of them.
The Police is just doing what they are supposed to be doing. If you don't break the law then you will not be talking to them on side the road. Stop blaming the Police Department on your stupidity. If the the Police are doing something wrong just file a complaint form an make sure you have proof. So STOP BEING SUCH A IDIOT!!!
