Shawn Dace

Shawn Dace is a distinguished law enforcement executive with over 35 years of progressive leadership experience within the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Currently serving as the Director of Public Safety under the newly-elected Spencer Administration, he is responsible for the strategic oversight and coordination of a broad spectrum of public safety and community wellbeing initiatives. His role encompasses integrating diverse services and resources to address the complex needs of the community, fostering collaboration across multiple agencies to enhance safety, support emergency response, stabilize neighborhoods, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote overall resilience throughout the region.

Before his appointment as Director of Public Safety, Mr. Dace served as Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Auxiliary Services from July 2022 to February 2025, where he exercised command over multiple critical units, including Warrant and Fugitive, Communications, Radio Repair, the Justice Center, Telephone Reporting, and the Marshals. His tenure as Major and South Patrol Commander saw him directing operations in Districts 1 and 2 of the city, where he implemented aggressive policing strategies grounded in data-driven crime trend analysis and fostered strong community policing partnerships.

Since 2018, Mr. Dace has also held the position of Police Commander for the St. Louis Cardinals and Busch Stadium, where he commands a specialized law enforcement team comprising 35 officers, six SWAT/Rapid Response officers, and three lieutenants during major sporting events, concerts, and other large-scale gatherings. His association with Busch Stadium spans over 25 years, beginning as a patrol officer and progressing through supervisory roles since 1996.

From September 2020 through November 2021, as Major and Commander of Investigative Services, Mr. Dace led the Homicide, Sex Crimes, Child Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Juvenile, and Bomb & Arson units. During this period, he successfully navigated the department through an unprecedented homicide surge while maintaining adequate detective staffing levels amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership yielded measurable reductions in crime within these specialized units through focused enforcement strategies and enhanced community engagement.

Mr. Dace’s prior leadership roles include Captain and Deputy Commander of Investigative Services (2018-2019) and District III Commander (2015-2018), where he directed efforts that resulted in a 14% reduction in crime. As Lieutenant of the Housing Authority Unit, he pioneered the use of computer-based crime tracking to proactively monitor trends and developed community-focused programs that contributed to a 20% decrease in crime across public housing complexes.

A graduate of the St. Louis Police Academy (1990) and holding a Bachelor of Business Administration in Security Management from Webster University (2010), Mr. Dace’s career is marked by a dedication to professional development and operational excellence. Early in his career, he was recognized as Officer of the Year and has received numerous commendations, reflecting his commitment to law enforcement and community safety.

His distinguished service has been honored through multiple awards, including the St. Louis Bar Foundation Spirit of Justice Award (2014), four Chief Letters of Commendation, eight Department of Excellence Awards, and four Officer of the Month recognitions. He was a valued member of the Hostage Response Team from 1992 to 2000 and has earned ten Duty Service Pistol Awards for perfect marksmanship. Additionally, Mr. Dace is affiliated with the Kappa Sorority, Omicron Chapter.

Mr. Dace possesses specialized training in Hostage Response and Negotiation, Narcotics Enforcement, Gang Awareness, and advanced Weapons proficiency, equipping him with the skills necessary to lead complex and high-risk operations effectively.
In addition to his operational leadership,

Mr. Dace has provided consulting services to police departments nationwide, offering expertise in public safety strategy, organizational leadership, and community-oriented policing. He has served as a consultant to police departments in Buffalo, NY; Jacksonville, FL; Little Rock, AR; Minneapolis, MN; New Orleans, LA; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA; and San Francisco, CA..

Beyond his operational responsibilities, Mr. Dace is deeply committed to community relations and youth development. He served as one of the founders of the Police Athletic League conventions nationwide. He founded the department’s inaugural men’s basketball league, engaging over 200 young men in constructive activities aimed at bridging gaps between law enforcement and the community. His extensive community involvement also includes partnerships with Review West Florissant - TMAP, St. Louis Public Schools, Heritage House/Provident Counseling, Motions for Kids (St. Louis Bar Foundation), Father’s Support, ARCHS (Area Resources for Community and Human Services), Gateway Classic Sports Foundations of St. Louis, Caring Communities, and the Demetrius Johnson Foundation. 

Recognized for his exemplary communication skills, strategic insight, and ability to defuse critical incidents, Shawn Dace is a respected leader dedicated to advancing a comprehensive and holistic vision of public safety in St. Louis. He champions an approach that goes beyond traditional crime reduction to include fostering community trust, addressing underlying social determinants of safety such as education, mental health, and economic opportunity. Through proactive partnerships with community stakeholders, social services, and local organizations, Shawn strives to build resilient neighborhoods where all citizens feel safe, supported, and empowered. His leadership philosophy centers on innovation, accountability, transparency, and meaningful engagement with the community to create sustainable, long-term improvements in both public safety and quality of life.