The City of Ballwin posted on their social media account the desire to comment on allegations made in several recent lawsuits and media reports on Tuesday.

Former Police Chief Doug Schaeffler was initially placed on leave before being terminated following a 2023 outside investigation into his many searches on the Regional Justice Information System (REJIS).

Only commissioned law enforcement officers are authorized to use REJIS when they’re investigating criminals or suspects potentially involved in a crime.

Per the City of Ballwin, their hired outside investigator determined the allegations against Schaeffler of “misuse of the REJIS system to obtain criminal and traffic information for non-law enforcement purposes without probable cause, violations of written established policy, harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation with respect to supervision of department employees, and purchasing alcohol while on duty and/or in uniform,” to be true.

In February, the City sent an investigative report and suspected illegal search samples performed by Schaeffler to St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell’s office to file charges against the former police chief. The City believes Bell recused his office, citing a conflict of interest, and handed the case over to the St. Louis City prosecutor. As of June 12, no charges have been recorded on Courts.mo.gov.   

The City of Ballwin contends former Alderman Kevin Roach’s class action suit stating his allegations are “unequivocally false.” The City posted Schaeffler was never directed to perform illegal searches by City staff or City officials. They also have not found evidence that Schaeffler shared any of the REJIS search information with anyone nor used it with malintent.

For now, the full report of the searches will remain closed under Missouri statute. The City of Ballwin plans to release the full report after the prosecutor’s office decides whether to file charges.