New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, Sikeston DPS awarded grants

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State grants will provide funding to local law enforcement to track down those who prey upon children.

The New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department and the Sikeston Department of Public Safety were among 19 agencies approved by the state of Missouri for grant money to be used to investigate and prosecute crimes that victimized children. The New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department received $76,818 while the Sikeston Department of Public Safety was awarded $10,500.

According to New Madrid County Sheriff Bud Cooper, the grant funds will be used to purchase cutting edge equipment used by investigators to solve cases, particularly those involving digital devices.

Cooper explained as cell phones have improved, more sexual predators are using their phones, or even multiple phones.

“As the cell phones have gotten smarter, the perpetrators are able to have with them at all time. They feel more secure and the fact is that law enforcement has been slow (to respond) but we are getting there,” he said.

His department will use the money to purchase equipment and software from Cellebrite. The company’s website states its equipment can provide officers with access to a wide range of evidence sources, including encrypted or locked mobile devices, public and private social media and other cloud data.

Cooper said at least two officers in his department will receive training by the company on using the equipment.

“This is a God send for us,” said Cooper, who pointed out his department is likely one of the few from St. Louis to the Arkansas line with access to such equipment.

He added his department will offer their expertise and the equipment to the other 13 counties in the region when possible.

“We want (use it) to help all kids not just New Madrid County kids,” Cooper said.”This is the kind of equipment that can really make or break the case.”

Cooper said he is still waiting on the final details on the grant to determine when the equipment will arrive and when deputies can be trained. However, he said, he has already spoken with New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Lawson about the grant and what it will fund.

“He was excited we got the grant and was very positive about prosecuting the cases or providing whatever advice we would need. He said he would work hand in hand with us to get these people off the street.”

According to Sikeston DPS Chief James McMillen, the grant funds will be used to purchase a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer, or CVSA. He said the CVSA has been proven effective for pre-employment background investigations and suspect interviews and for all investigative situations, such as white-collar crimes, homicide, robbery and others including an emphasis on child abuse/sex cases.

“We are very appreciative to have this tool to use in our child abuse/sex crimes and in in the various other investigations we do,” McMillen said.

In announcing the grants to New Madrid County, Sikeston and the other 17 agencies, Governor Mike Parson noted that across the nation, agencies that assist and support children had reported vulnerable children were at greater risk of being victimized during the pandemic, when more people were isolated and there were fewer opportunities for potential crimes to be reported and investigated. As a result his office was making available a total of up to $2 million in additional funding opportunities to better detect, investigate, and prosecute crimes committed against children during the pandemic.

“Criminals who victimize children must be investigated, prosecuted and brought to justice, no matter when they commit these heinous crimes,” Parson said in a news release. “The rise in crimes reported against children during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strains on agencies that detect, investigate and prosecute those criminals made it clear that local agencies could use additional assistance. We are pleased to make these funds available to help protect our children and remove criminals from the streets.”