The city of Maplewood announced on Feb. 5 that Maplewood Police Chief Stephen M. Kruse announced his retirement, to be effective April 1, 2021. Chief Kruse has been in law enforcement for over forty-five years, serving as police chief for the city of Maplewood the last 12 years.
Kruse joined the Maplewood Police Department in 2009 and previously served as chief of police in Florissant and Shrewsbury. Much of his career was spent with the Florissant Police Department where he quickly rose through the ranks.
A graduate of the FBI National Academy and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Course, Kruse also attended the Missouri Highway Patrol Police Supervision School where he ranked first in his class. Additionally he obtained a Master of Science Degree in Human Resource Management from Lindenwood University.
Under Kruse’s leadership, the Maplewood Police Department attained international accreditation through CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.) which is the highest level of accreditation a law enforcement agency can receive. The department established a very diverse workforce and substantially increased participation in the Neighborhood Watch Program, Business Watch Program, St. Louis Area Night Out Against Crime, and instituted various other community-policing measures.
Kruse announced his retirement in a letter to Interim City Manager Anthony Traxler on January 14, 2021. “Chief Kruse has served the City of Maplewood with integrity and professionalism. We thank him for his service and commitment to the men and women of the Maplewood Police Department and the community,” Traxler said.
Kruse and his wife, Patricia have been married for 45 years. They have two children, Michael and Jaclyn, and five grandchildren.
Traxler will announce an acting police chief on April 1. The search to fill the city manager position will resume this spring. The new city manager will be responsible for hiring the next police chief.
Thank you for your service, Chief Kruse! Always attentive, responsive and thoughtful of your staff and citizens. Certainly so from the perspective of a resident of Maplewood! We will miss you. Again, many thanks and all best wishes!
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