Vision Statement

 A leading police agency connected to the community.

Mission Statement

To serve and protect the Clayton Community with PRIDE.

Values

• Professionalism
• Respect
• Innovation
• Dedication
• Excellence

Department History

Law enforcement in Clayton began with a Marshal system in the City’s early years. However, in 1920, recognizing the need for a more structured approach to public safety, the City transitioned to a formal Police Department. What started with a single full-time officer has grown alongside Clayton’s development, now comprising 48 commissioned officers and six professional staff members dedicated to serving the community.

The Clayton Police Department has long been recognized as a leader among municipal law enforcement agencies in St. Louis County, consistently prioritizing excellence in training, education, and professionalism. The department has historically fielded one of the most highly trained and well-respected police forces in the region.

In keeping with its tradition of leadership, in 2000, the Clayton Police Department became one of the first law enforcement agencies in Missouri to achieve national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)—a distinction that reflects the department’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, accountability, and service excellence.

CALEA maintains a public portal that may be used for comments, commendations, and other information regarding the Clayton Police Department's quality of service or additional information relevant to the accreditation process. You can access the portal here.

Organization

The Police Department is divided into three major bureaus, two of which are commanded by Captains and the other by a Lieutenant. The Field Operations Bureau is responsible for patrol duties, responding to calls-for-service, traffic enforcement, community relations, and crime prevention programs. The Investigations Bureau is responsible for follow-up investigations and juvenile matters. Finally, the Support Bureau is responsible for records and general administration.