What We Do

The Columbia Police Foundation was created to formally organize the community support the police department has received for several decades.

The Foundation raises funds to provide additional resources for police departments and strengthen their effectiveness in providing quality police service to Columbia and Boone County citizens.

Police K9

The Columbia Police Foundation raises funds to purchase or assist in purchasing K9 Officers for the Columbia Police Department.

K9 Duke joined the Columbia Police Department with the assistance of the Columbia Police Foundation and was paired with Officer Jordan Payne. Duke is highly trained in tracking and explosives detection. K9 Duke is a beloved member of the Columbia Police Department and his valuable work in the community is greatly appreciated.

K9 Duke is named after retired Deputy Chief of Police John “The Duke” Gordon. While at CPD, DC Gordon had a passion for the K9 program and has supported the purchase and training of K9 for many years.

The two newest additions to the Columbia Police Department K9 Unit are K9 Marek (pictured left) with his handler Officer Nate Turner and K9 Koba (right) with his partner Officer Tyler Miles. Both Marek and Koba joined the department in the summer of 2022 and have already become valuable members of the team.

Officer Down Fund

We are honored to stand ready to assist officers and their families in the event an officer is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. In 2005, after the loss of Officer Molly Thomas Bowden, the Foundation expanded its scope to provide funds for the families of officers lost in the line of duty and officers injured in the line of duty through the Officer Down Fund.

In 2019, we expanded again, and the Officer Down Fund is now available to officers in all of Boone County. Through the Officer Down Fund, the Foundation also provides a $10,000 life insurance policy for every officer working for a Boone County agency at no cost to them.

Columbia Police Department
Boone County Sheriff’s Department
University of Missouri Police Department
Ashland Police Department
Centralia Police Department
Hallsville Police Department
Sturgeon Police Department

Programs

Recent years have demonstrated the need for increased training and new technology in police departments, but the cost of this technology is often well beyond what public resources can support. That is where the Columbia Police Foundation and our Community of Supporters come in.

The Foundation is committed to placing the latest technology and specialized equipment in the hands of Columbia police officers. We work with Department Administration, the Columbia Police Officers’ Association and officers to identify specific needs we can address.

Through these valued partnerships, we have established programs that consistently support area police departments and fund individual projects.

Five Columbia Police Officers face the flag and salute

Employee Awards Ceremony

Each year, we recognize the hard work and dedication of members of the Columbia Police Department. Awards are presented for the Civilian Employee of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Officer of the Year and Supervisor of the Year. The Officer of the Year award is named in memory of Officer Molly Suzanne Thomas Bowden and the Supervisor of the Year award honors former Columbia Police Department Chief and Columbia Police Foundation Chairman Randy Boehm.

Each July, we hold an awards ceremony where recipients are presented with a plaque and commemorative watch. Promotions, retirements, and other department awards are also recognized.