The BackStoppers Office Staff

Chief Ron Battelle

Col. Ron Battelle
Executive Director, The BackStoppers, Inc.
Chief (Retired), St. Louis County Police Department

Colonel Battelle was a nearly 40-year veteran of the County Police Department and was promoted to Chief of Police on October 1, 1990. He was the first officer in the 50+ year history of the Department to advance through the ranks to the position of Chief of Police and was responsible for the overall operation of the almost 1,000 member Department that serves a population of over 1,000,000.

Colonel Battelle was appointed to the Police Department as a new police officer on October 1, 1965 and served in patrol and detective assignments. His management experience as a sergeant (1970), lieutenant (1971), captain (1975) and major (1978) include patrol, criminal investigation and staff assignments. His last command prior to being promoted to Chief of Police was Commanding Officer of the Division of Criminal Investigation (1985-1990).

Chief Battelle earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Northeast Missouri State University in 1976 and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the FBI National Executive Institute and the US Secret Service Dignitary Protection Academy, Member of the International Association of Police Chiefs’, Member and past Chairman of the St. Louis Area Police Chief’s Association, Former Vice Chairman of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis; Member of the Housing Authority of St. Louis County. Chief Battelle served in the Air Force and was stationed at the United States Air Force Academy.

As Chief, several new programs were initiated under his command, primarily Neighborhood Policing, including the Citizen Police Academy and Teen Police Academy, which will enhance Neighborhood Policing programs countywide. In May of 1996, Chief Battelle was selected as the “Outstanding Missouri Police Chief of the Year”. In September of 1998, under the leadership of Chief Battelle, the Department attained international accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), making the St. Louis County Police Department the largest local police department to achieve this accreditation.

Chief Battelle also participated in the statewide Homeland Security Panel to deal with terrorist threats, including development of first responder protocols and logistic and equipment needs. Chief Battelle oversaw acquisition efforts through federal grants to purchase equipment for police, fire and emergency services personnel throughout St. Louis County.

Chief Battelle retired from the St. Louis County Police Department as of June 1, 2004. He is now the Executive Director of the BackStoppers.

Chief Battelle and his wife MaryAnn reside in Chesterfield, and they have four grown children and five grandchildren.

Join

Become a BackStopper and ensure ongoing support for the families we serve.