Harman Patil (Editor)

Missouri State Highway Patrol

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Abbreviation
  
MSHP

Employees
  
2,400 (as of 2017)

Formed
  
1931

Missouri State Highway Patrol

Motto
  
Together Protecting Missouri's Citizens Simul protegens Missouri scriptor Cives (Latin)

Legal personality
  
Governmental: Government agency

Operations jurisdiction*
  
State of Missouri, U.S.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is the highway patrol agency for Missouri and has jurisdiction anywhere within the state. Colonel Sandy K. Karsten has served as Superintendent since Feb 1, 2017.

Contents

In 1992, MSHP became only the 10th State Police/Highway Patrol to receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is a division of the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Purpose

State laws pertaining to the Highway Patrol including its creation, powers, structure, mission and duties are specified in Chapter 43 of Missouri Revised Statutes (RSMo). According to Chapter 43.025 RSMo: "The primary purpose of the highway patrol is to enforce the traffic laws and promote safety upon the highways. As near as practicable all personnel of the patrol shall be used for carrying out these purposes." The MSHP has a criminal investigation division that investigates crimes statewide such as murder, robbery, burglary, rape and financial crimes. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is more than a Highway Patrol; MSHP functions more like a full service state police agency.

Organization

General Headquarters (GHQ) and the Law Enforcement Academy are located in Jefferson City, Missouri, the state capital.

The state is divided into nine Troops, with Troop headquarters and communications centers located in the following cities:

  • Troop A: Lee's Summit (Kansas City)
  • Troop B: Macon
  • Troop C: Weldon Spring (St. Louis)
  • Troop D: Springfield
  • Troop E: Poplar Bluff
  • Troop F: Jefferson City
  • Troop G: Willow Springs
  • Troop H: St. Joseph
  • Troop I: Rolla

    • In addition, three of the Troops maintain service centers:

  • Troop C: Park Hills
  • Troop D: Carthage
  • Troop E: Sikeston

    • Vehicles

    The MSHP utilizes a variety of vehicles, including the Dodge Charger, the Ford Police Interceptor (Explorer), the RAM 1500 and 2500 series, the Chevrolet Tahoe, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2500 series, the Chevrolet Impala 9C1, and the Ford F-150 and F-250. Both regularly marked and slicktop vehicles are used frequently. Colors include: white, tan, blue, silver, black and gray.

    Weapons

    MSHP troopers are issued a Glock 22 GEN 4 .40 caliber pistol, a 5.56x45mm Colt AR-15A1 (M16A1), and a 12 ga Remington 870 Police Magnum. Prior to the Glock 22 GEN 4, troopers had the older Glock 22 .40 which was the first semi-automatic pistol issued to the agency replacing the Smith and Wesson 586 .357 magnum revolver in 1991.

    Command

  • Colonel Superintendent Sandy K. Karsten was appointed Superintendent March 9th, 2017. The Superintendent is supported by the Assistant Superintendent and Bureau Commanders.
  • Lieutenant Colonel / Assistant Superintendent Eric T. Olson commands the Patrol's Professional Standards and Public Information and Education divisions as well as the Patrol's legal counsel.
  • Major Gregory K. Smith commands the Patrol's Field Operations Bureau, which has authority over the Patrol's nine Troops, the Aircraft Division and the Water Patrol Division.
  • Major -vacant- commands the Criminal Investigation Bureau, which has authority over the Crime Laboratory, Drug and Crime Control, Gaming, MIAC Divisions.
  • Major -vacant- commands of the Administrative Services Bureau, which has authority over the Budget and Procurement, Human Resources, and Training divisions.
  • Major Malik Henderson has authority over the Support Services Bureau, which directs the Public Information and Education, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Driver Examination, Motor Vehicle Inspection, and Motor Equipment divisions.
  • Major Sarah L. Eberhard is responsible for the Technical Services Bureau, which directs the Communications, Criminal Justice Information Services, Information Systems, Traffic, and Research and Development divisions.
  • Major Kemp A. Shoun is Major Shoun has oversight of the Executive Services Bureau, which directs the Budget and Procurement and the Governor's Security divisions.

    • Field Operations Bureau

  • Captain Norman A. Murphy, Captain Mark E. Richerson, Captain Matthew C. Walz, Lieutenant Brian L. Daniel and Lieutenant Michael W. Watson.

    • Criminal Investigation Bureau

  • Captain Kyle D. Marquart works under the direction of the Commander.

    • Personnel killed on duty

    Thirty-one officers have been killed on police duty. One member died while serving in the military in World War II.

    Badge and rank structure

    The Missouri State Highway Patrol is one of only five State Patrols forces that do not wear a badge on their uniform shirts.

    Their rank structure is as listed:

    References

    Missouri State Highway Patrol Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA