Inside the SLMPD
Welcome to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the home to some of the nation’s finest police officers and civilian employees. Established in 1808, our Department has a rich history and many traditions. We strive to provide the city of St. Louis with the highest level of police service.
Our department is dedicated to diversity and inclusion and we are committed to community policing. Our workforce is made up of over 400 civilian employees and 1,300 sworn officers. Our police officers interact daily with citizens and they have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of St. Louisans. We believe policing is one of the most rewarding and noble professions.
Get to know some of the faces you will interact throughout the application process. We welcome your questions and are here to help! We are excited to have you join our team!
Meet the Team
Colonel John W. Hayden, Jr.
Police Commissioner - St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Colonel John W. Hayden, Jr. joined the Metropolitan Police Department – City of St. Louis on February 23, 1987. He was appointed Police Commissioner on December 28, 2017. He is St. Louis City’s 35th Chief of Police.
Colonel Hayden manages the second largest police department in the State of Missouri with an authorized strength of more than 1,300 sworn officers and over 400 civilian employees. Colonel Hayden is responsible for overseeing an annual budget of $170 million, a third of the city’s budget.
Colonel Hayden’s 30-year career is well balanced with 15 years of investigative experience and 15 years of administrative assignments. He served as a Commander in the North Patrol Division from 2013 through 2017. His crime strategies resulted in significant crime reduction in several neighborhoods during his tenure. Prior to 2013, he served as the Commander of the Internal Affairs Division. In that capacity, Colonel Hayden oversaw more than 1,200 investigations of employee misconduct. Throughout his career he has been passionate about the pursuit of excellence in policing.
Colonel Hayden served as the Executive Aide to the Chief of Police from 2001 through 2007, managing the department from the executive level. He has extensive teaching experience from his time in the Police Academy, where he served as both an Instructor and Training Coordinator. While in the Police Academy, Colonel Hayden was responsible for teaching and developing training on a topic that is still his top priority – Ethics.Colonel Hayden was recognized for his exceptional performance with a Chief’s Letter of Commendation in 2007.
Colonel Hayden has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Washington University where he played college football. He also has a Master’s degree in Management from Fontbonne University. He was accepted into St. Louis University’s prestigious School of Law and has completed over 50 credits in their Juris Doctorate Program. He has also completed 15 hours of graduate coursework in Theological Studies at the Covenant Theological Seminary.
Colonel Hayden is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a member of the Police Executive Research Forum, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Major Cities Police Chiefs Association. He has served as a Deacon at Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis since 1998.
Colonel Hayden is 55 years old and a lifelong resident of St. Louis City. He and his wife Michelle have been married for 28 years and have three daughters, Ashley, Kathryn and Kaylynn.
Sara Koziacki
Human Resources Supervisor
"Through my years of service with the SLMPD, I have always appreciated being one person that helps applicants achieve their dreams of becoming a police officer. It makes me proud to welcome new recruits into the police academy and watch them be successful.
When I see recruits walk across the stage at graduation and become a member of the police family it gives me a sense of accomplishment knowing they are going to serve the community with integrity and pride."
Email: koziackis@stlouis-mo.gov | (P) 314-444-5893
Featured officers
Officer Darrell Cain
"When you find your purpose, you never have to work a day in your life."
Darrell grew up in the Walnut Park area of North St. Louis, and feels like he is called to serve his community when he decided to join SLMPD. “I’m from St. Louis City. This is what I know. This is who I am,” he said confidently. For Darrell, being from St. Louis City and being able to be part of the community that he grew up in is a big part of why he is the change he wanted to see at SLMPD. “I got out,” he said. “And I want to be someone who reaches back and helps someone else.”
From 2008 to 2012, Darrell served in the United States Marine Corps until he was honorably discharged after being injured in Afghanistan. His military service helped instill a great sense of duty and service. “You go to some of these other municipalities, and they will let you know …. hey man, you guys see some wild things down there [at SLMPD],” he said. “And that kind of makes you proud of what you do. It kind of gives you a sense of purpose like. Ninety-five percent of this job is just listening.”
Darrell believes that as a police officer, he wants to be out and visible. “I try to get out and interact with the community every single day. That’s my thing. Whether it be some kids playing basketball. Throwing the football around. I’m getting out there with them.”
“There should not be a day that goes by where you should NOT make a difference,” he stressed. Darrell works patrol in North St. Louis and before the pandemic also coached youth football.
For him, it’s also about feeling challenged. “No day is the same. You come in here thinking, you know…today is gonna be like yesterday, you’re completely wrong. That’s what I love about this job. There’s no routine.”
And for Darrell, it’s about having a career that you love and believe in. “It is a calling for me. My dad used to always say that when you find your purpose and passion in life, you’ll never have to work a day in your life,” he smiled. “I would do this job for free just because I love it that much. I love interacting with people. I love cleaning up the community.”
Officer David Goldschmidt
"It’s important that people trust the badge, and I must be a builder of that trust."
At 48, David was not your typical Police Academy recruit. “Everyone called me Grandpa,” he laughed warmly, his eyes smiling.
“I went down to the recruiter and sat down across from him, and I said, ‘Hey listen … I’m 48 years old. Is this completely out of line?’ He said, ‘Listen, what we’ve really lost here in the department is people with experience. Not just police experience, but life experience.’ David remembered.
“I saw an opportunity to serve my community in a very meaningful, powerful way.”
David, now 49 and a father of five, never considered becoming a police officer. But after witnessing a fight in his neighborhood, he felt compelled to get involved. With the support of his wife and kids behind him, he joined the SLMPD police academy last year.
“There’s clearly a gap between the community and the police department. Not just here in St. Louis, but nationwide. That gap needs to be closed,” David explained. “I think everybody recognizes that.”
“However, it wasn’t enough for me personally to sit there and make a comment about that reality. It was important for me to BE THE CHANGE that I saw needed between policing and the community.”
For David, joining SLMPD was not only a chance to give back, but also an opportunity to grow as a person. “Being a police officer in the city of St. Louis has undoubtedly made me a better person. I’m a better person physically. Intellectually. Emotionally.” He smiled. “I am so happy to be here.”
David works patrol, answering calls from the public. He feels that when he leaves the house for work, he has a great responsibility. “When I put this badge on at the beginning of the day, I understand that there are expectations associated with that. The badge means something to the St. Louis community. And the community needs to trust this badge. So it’s important for me to be a builder of that trust.”
Sergeant Christy Allen
"We have the privilege of interacting with people on a very unique level that other professions are not necessarily able to.”
When Christy chose a career in law enforcement, she knew exactly where she wanted to be. “I chose St. Louis City Police Department because it’s where I was born and raised. I’ve always wanted to positively affect my community, I thought what better way to do that than to become part of the St. Louis City Police Department?”
Christy is one of many SLMPD police officers who believe that if you want to impact the relationship between law enforcement and the community, you must be the change you want to see. “Being a police officer is a tremendous way to serve your community. It’s not just about enforcing…change comes when you build relationships, offer resources — inspire and empower people. As a police officer these are principles I lead with.”
Christy is also adamant that women are strong and effective police officers, for women who may be hesitant about pursuing a career in law enforcement. “While working at The Westin Hotel I encountered a female police officer - I had never had an experience with a female police officer growing up. She was so warm and welcoming. I had only seen guys doing this job. She was full of personality...and encouraged me to become a police officer. I thought this lady is down-to-earth and really killing this uniform. Maybe I can do it!” she smiled.
“I want young people to be able to see themselves in me. A female can absolutely be effective in policing. We are sensitive, nurturing, compassionate. Not saying that men don’t have these same qualities…. but women, we tend to tap into them a bit more. We can also assert ourselves. Women can come here, do this job, and do it phenomenally.”
For her, working at SLMPD means that while you never know what you are going to encounter each day. “Policing is not an office job. It’s not something you can anticipate or prepare for every day. You just have to come to work with your uniform on and be ready to handle whatever comes your way.”
As a recruiter, Christy wants to discover people who are passionate about this community and have a desire to serve St. Louis City . “For nearly 18 years I’ve served this community to the best of my ability,” she said. “And I’ve loved every minute of it.”
career path
The opportunities in the St. Louis Police Department are as unique as your passion and talent—from Cyber Crimes to the K-9 unit. In the beginning we all start in the same place, patrolling our communities. It offers a powerful chance to connect with our neighborhoods and develop relationships with people whose support we depend on to be the best St. Louis can be.
Newly commissioned officers will serve for 12 months as Probationary Police Officers before being promoted to Police Officers. Many officers find it rewarding to spend their entire careers as a patrol officer however within one to three years as a commissioned officer you may be eligible to apply for another department/unit.
COMMUNITY POLICING
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Officer Wellness
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Patrol Divisons
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South
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South Patrol Area & Desk/Holdover
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District 1 & 2
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Central
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Central Patrol Area & Desk/Holdover
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District 3 & 4
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Housing Authority
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North
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North Patrol Area & Desk/Holdover
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District 5 & 6
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SPECIALIZED ENFORCEMENT
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Drug Enforcement & Intervention
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Mobile Reserve
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Park Rangers
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Public Transportation
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Special Operations Investigators
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Special Weapons & Tactics
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Canine
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Aviation (Metro Air Support)
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Traffic/Mounted Patrol
INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES
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Bomb & Arson
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Circuit Attorney Invest/Court Liaison
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DART
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Domestic Violence Prevention
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Forensic Processing
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Homicide
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Juvenile
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Sex Crimes/Child Abuse
TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS & INVESTIGATIONS
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Crime Analysis
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Crime Victims - Victim Services
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Community Engagement & Recruitment
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Environmental Investigations
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Federal Task Force Officers
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Gun Crime Intelligence Center
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Intellectual Property Crime Grant
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Real Time Crime Center
