The De Soto Police Department is going through a bit of a redesign phase with new uniforms, a new patch, some new equipment and several new faces.
Brent Steger, who has 30 years of law enforcement experience including six with De Soto Police, took over as chief on June 1 when Chief Jeff McCreary retired after leading the department for eight years.
In the weeks following, the captain, a sergeant, a corporal and a patrolman left the department for other St. Louis-area agencies. Steger said another officer announced plans last week to leave for the department.
“(Our) department was already down three officers and had been for years,” Steger said.
He said it has been challenging, but everyone has stepped up to cover shifts, missing regular days off and vacation days.
Steger said Dirk Helms has been hired as the new captain. Helms started his law enforcement career in 2001 and joined the Army in 2006 as a military police officer. He worked with De Soto Police as a reserve officer in 2013 and served as a full-time officer from 2015 until his retirement in 2022.
“I’ve been to other departments; this is home,” said Helms, who was born and raised in De Soto.
Steger said with the help of Helms and Det. Eric Robinson, three officers have been hired and have started working. Three others have been given conditional offers.
He said they still have applications coming in.
Steger said Sheriff Dave Marshak and area police chiefs and police academies have been supportive.
“I believe everyone is pulling for us,” he said.
Steger said he will hold off on further promotions until the department is fully staffed at 18 full-time officers. He hopes that will happen within the next three months.
The department has changed its uniform, moving to blue-colored pants and gray shirts.
It also unveiled a new patch on Aug. 11 to mixed reviews on social media.
The new De Soto Police patch incorporates the school district’s mascot and the city’s history as a railroad town and a “fountain city.”
Steger said the department’s patch was redesigned, with input from police officers and the City Council.
“As we worked through the design, we decided to get back to the basics and create something that represents not only our department, but the community we are proud to serve,” the department posted on its Facebook page. “We are Dragons. We are a community with a deep railroad history. And we are the City of Fountains. Each of those pieces is part of De Soto’s identity and history, and we wanted our new patch to reflect that.
“You may also notice some subtle changes to our uniforms, with updates to our patrol vehicles coming soon. These changes are all part of continuing to move the De Soto Police Department forward while staying connected to the history and traditions of the community we represent.
“We hope everyone likes the new look. Most importantly, we hope you see a little bit of De Soto in it.”
Steger said the city will be getting away from the black-and-white patrol cars with the new gray Dodge Durangos. The department will be trading in three 2026 Ford Explorers it had not yet outfitted for 2027 Dodge Durangos. The Durangos will arrive Oct. 1.
Steger said the difference of about $20,000 will be covered by a Missouri Blue Shield grant.
New guns and flashlights were allotted in the budget year, which began Nov. 1.
“As with changes in leadership in any department, there is going to be staffing changes from top to bottom, and it does not iron out overnight,” City Manager Todd Melkus said. “We have added a number of officers and are now being close to fully staffed.”
Steger said once they get the department operating fully staffed, people will want to come to work at De Soto Police and more importantly, stay there.