Missouri State Highway Patrol

Serving and Protecting Missouri’s Citizens

A guide to services provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Service & Protection

The term service in the Missouri State Highway Patrol motto “Service and Protection” refers to the aid and assistance offered to members of the public as well as other criminal justice agencies. Patrol employees perform a variety of functions and strive to provide a safe and secure environment for the public. The many law enforcement agencies across the state work together to provide the best possible law enforcement for our state’s residents. The Missouri State Highway Patrol offers its assistance to the law enforcement agencies and departments throughout the state by making available its personnel and services. This booklet lists and describes those services. Requests for any of the described services should be directed to the local troop headquarters or General Headquarters at the addresses or telephone numbers listed at the end of this booklet. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of those we are sworn to serve and protect.

Professional Standards Division

The primary function of the Professional Standards Division is to ensure the integrity of the Patrol and its personnel, both commissioned and civilian employees. This is accomplished through a comprehensive, impartial, professional process of investigating allegations of employee misconduct.

The goal of the Professional Standards Division is to properly respond to all allegations of misconduct through detailed investigations not only to verify allegations, if true, but also to protect employees from false allegations. The division also monitors departmental disciplinary procedures to promote uniformity and fairness, identify potential problems and possible corrective actions, and safeguard the rights and due process protections of both citizens and employees.

Public Information & Education Division

The Public Information and Education Division personnel prepare and disseminate information concerning the Patrol to the public via all forms of media; field questions from the public and the media on a variety of topics related to the Patrol and its mission; design and update educational materials and publications for public distribution; and provide educational programs throughout the state. This division also coordinates the activities of the public information and education officers assigned to each troop.

The Public Information and Education Division coordinates the activities of the Colonel Alvin R. Lubker Memorial Safety & Education Center, the roll-over simulators, the seat belt convincers, and the simulated impaired driving experience golf carts.

To schedule a tour of the Colonel Alvin R. Lubker Memorial Safety & Education Center, please call (573) 526-6149. To schedule other safety demonstrations, please contact the public information and education officer assigned to your local troop.

Field Operations Bureau

Canine Unit

The Patrol’s canines are specifically trained to detect the presence of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and their derivatives. While the unit’s main emphasis is narcotics detection, the canines are also used in building searches, manhunts, handler protection, and for article detection.

Major Crash Investigation Unit

The Major Crash Investigation Unit includes teams located in Higginsville, MO, Warrenton, MO, Rogersville, MO, Jackson, MO, and Jefferson City, MO. All 20 officers are certified through the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR). The crash teams often support other law enforcement agencies by mapping crash and homicide scenes, completing crash data retrieval, and providing photographs of crash scenes. Crash team members also attend recurrency small UAS pilot training and operate Skydio small, unmanned aerial systems.

Motorcycle Unit

The motorcycle program has two units assigned in each of Troops A, C, D, and F. This unit supports the primary mission of the Patrol through strict enforcement of traffic laws related to crashes. Members of the motorcycle unit also provide special escorts and assist with construction zone enforcement projects.

Special Weapons & Tactics Teams (SWAT)

Four Special Weapons & Tactics teams are trained and equipped to respond anywhere within the state to emergency situations, such as high-risk warrant arrests, manhunts, hostage negotiation, and rescue operations. Teams are located in Jefferson City, MO, Lee’s Summit, MO, Weldon Spring, MO, and Springfield, MO.

Public Order Units

Public Order Units are members trained and equipped to police pre-planned public safety events or spontaneous violent civil unrest involving a threat to public safety, which would otherwise exceed the capabilities of traditional law enforcement first responders. Their purpose is to balance Constitutional policing of peaceful First Amendment demonstrations and to safely de-escalate civil disorder and violent civil unrest while improving safety for citizens, officers, and others present at these incidents.

Troops

The state of Missouri is divided into nine geographical areas, referred to as troops, with headquarters in Lee’s Summit, Macon, Weldon Spring, Springfield, Poplar Bluff, Jefferson City, Willow Springs, St. Joseph, and Rolla. Road officers patrol the 33,808 miles of Missouri’s roadways; marine operations troopers patrol the 272,770 acres of lakes, over 1,000 miles of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and countless smaller tributaries.

Aircraft Division

The Aircraft Division operates three helicopters, five single engine airplanes, and one multiengine King Air. The helicopters aid with criminal and emergency searches, surveillance, and assessing the damages from natural disasters. The two Jefferson City-based helicopters, equipped with a high definition FLIR camera and mapping system, are used to conduct aerial searches and support DWI/aggressive driving enforcement operations. Using the FLIR camera, flight crews track fleeing vehicles and provide valuable turn-by-turn information to the ground officers, who can discontinue their pursuit until the flight crew reports the location where the vehicle stopped. The single engine airplanes aid with criminal and emergency searches, surveillance, and traffic enforcement. The King Air provides personnel transport for elected or appointed officials, the Patrol’s command staff, investigators conducting criminal investigations, and other qualified state personnel.

Water Patrol Division

The Water Patrol Division is responsible for boater education, navigational aid regulation, and regatta administration. All boaters born after January 1, 1984, are required to take a NASBLA approved boater education course and possess a boater education card while boating on Missouri lakes. All buoys, other navigational aids, regattas (organized events such as boating parades, races, and fishing tournaments) are required to be permitted by the Patrol. The Patrol ensures that specific areas are not overloaded at boating ramps. The Water Patrol Division also manages and coordinates the Patrol’s Dive Team.

Dive Team

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Dive Team includes officers assigned to marine operations and road duty across the state. The team is responsible for recovery of crash and drowning victims, vessels, vehicles, as well as evidence in criminal cases. Requests for assistance come from within and outside the department.

Criminal Investigation Bureau

Crime Laboratory Division

The Crime Laboratory Division provides forensic laboratory services to all law enforcement agencies throughout the state at no direct cost to the submitting agency. The General Headquarters Laboratory in Jefferson City, MO, as well as the crime laboratory in Springfield, MO, offer a full complement of forensic services with limited or intermediate services offered at five satellite laboratories in Troop C, Park Hills, MO; Troop D, Carthage, MO; Troop E, Cape Girardeau, MO; Troop G, Willow Springs, MO; and Troop H, St. Joseph, MO. The MSHP Crime Laboratory serves as the state administrator for the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and is the state repository for the offender DNA database. The Crime Laboratory Division holds international accreditation based on ISO/IEC 17025 standards through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

Services available through the Patrol’s laboratory locations include:

Division of Drug & Crime Control

The Division of Drug and Crime Control includes the following: Criminal Investigative Units (includes polygraph examiners, rural crimes investigators, and illegal gaming investigators); Interdiction for the Protection of Children/Human Trafficking Unit; Digital Forensics Investigative Unit; Bomb Squad/Technical Services Support Unit; Narcotics/Vice Unit; Organized Crime/Anti-Terrorism Unit; Public Information and Education Unit; Investigative Analysis Unit; Tactical Analysis Unit; HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area); and Missouri Digital Forensic Center.

Gaming Division

The Gaming Division includes enforcement and investigative units. Members assigned to an Enforcement Unit are responsible for conducting criminal and regulatory investigations occurring within licensed Missouri casinos. Members assigned to the Investigation Unit conduct comprehensive background investigations to determine suitability of casino companies, licensed charitable gaming operations, fantasy sports companies, industry suppliers, vendors, and individuals seeking to be licensed to operate in Missouri.

Missouri Information Analysis Center

The Missouri Information Analysis Center serves as the hub for the exchange of information with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in Missouri and nationwide. MIAC collaborates on a variety of projects, including the FBI National Threat Operations Center, Missouri Attorney General Human Trafficking Task Force, Courage2Report statewide school safety program, and Cyber Intelligence program. MIAC also serves as the Missouri Missing Persons Clearinghouse. Threats to life and tips on crimes or terrorism are developed, vetted, and disseminated to local authorities and law enforcement offices to be resolved appropriately.

Administrative Services Bureau

Fleet & Facilities Division

The Fleet and Facilities Division directs the procurement, emergency equipment upfitting, assignment, maintenance, repair, and eventual sale of Missouri State Highway Patrol vehicles and vessels. There are approximately 1,375 motor vehicles and 160 vessels in operation within the Patrol fleet. The division is also responsible for building and grounds maintenance and janitorial at Patrol facilities in the Jefferson City area, and works closely with the Office of Administration on statewide capital improvements and maintenance projects.

Human Resources Division

The Human Resources Division coordinates selection and promotional processes to further efforts in selecting and retaining a qualified workforce. Other responsibilities include maintaining employee records; administering personnel policies; coordinating the Patrol’s insurance, disability, payroll, and other employee benefits; and overseeing the Patrol’s DEFENSE Peer Support Program and health and wellness programs.

Training Division

The Training Division in conjunction with the Training Committee recommends the curriculum for recruit and in-service programs for uniformed members and civilians, as well as schedules and conducts courses of instruction for the Patrol and other agencies. The Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy is an approved peace officer training center under Chapter 590 RSMo. The Academy’s facilities include: three 40-person, tiered classrooms; one single-level classroom; one computer lab; a MultiMedia studio; a Breathalyzer laboratory; a 120-bed dormitory; a 10-point indoor range; a training tank; gymnasium; defensive tactics mat room; weight room; a 1.3 mile, four-lane, asphalt emergency vehicle operations course facility; and an outdoor range.

Support Services Bureau

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division

Commercial motor vehicle officers and commercial vehicle inspectors operate 16 weigh stations and 25 portable scale units. In addition, commercial vehicle enforcement troopers operate 18 portable scale units. These employees are charged with enforcing all applicable state and federal rules, regulations, and statutes. The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division is tasked with providing uniform enforcement of the laws and regulations that govern the operation of commercial motor vehicles. The weigh stations are located on interstate and U.S. highways throughout Missouri. The division is responsible for entry and upload of all safety inspections and Commercial Motor Vehicle crashes to SAFETYNET.

Driver & Vehicle Safety Division

The Driver and Vehicle Safety Division is dedicated to enhancing roadway safety in the state of Missouri. The Driver Examination Section provides a comprehensive driver testing program, including commercial driver testing, throughout the state to ensure Missouri licensed drivers have a level of competency consistent with safe driving habits and practices, as well as demonstrated skills and knowledge of Missouri laws related to traffic safety. The Motor Vehicle Inspection Section is responsible for the statewide administration of Missouri’s Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program, School Bus Inspection Program, VIN/Salvage Examination Program, and Emissions Inspection Program (St. Louis area). The division provides administrative oversight to stations and mechanics licensed throughout the state, to ensure Missouri’s motor vehicle inspection laws are followed.

Recruiting & Community Outreach

The Recruiting & Community Outreach Division employees cultivate closer relationships with individuals, groups, and businesses throughout the state. Recruiters seek qualified candidates representing the communities they serve to fill the position of trooper and the more than 60 civilian career classifications within the Patrol.

Technical Services Bureau

Communications Division

The Communications Division develops, builds, maintains, and provides the services and infrastructure for communications and information systems to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and to criminal justice agencies throughout the state. CommD operates and maintains a sophisticated statewide voice and data communications network that provides access to these services on a 365-day/24-hour basis. The division is responsible for the Patrol’s state highway emergency hotline (800) 525-5555 and wireless (*55) emergency hotline numbers and Missouri’s portion of the America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Alert/Blue Alert system broadcasts. In addition, CommD maintains and provides communications for emergency command post operations throughout the state on an as needed basis.

Criminal Justice Information Services Division

The Criminal Justice Information Services Division serves as the Central Repository for all criminal history record information reported to the state pursuant to Sections 43.503 and 43.506 RSMo. The division maintains the Automated Fingerprint Identification System and latent fingerprints from unsolved crimes. It is also responsible for maintaining the Sex Offender Registry and website, distribution of the Missouri Charge Code Manual, and UCR crime statistics. The general public may obtain criminal record checks by using the Missouri Automated Criminal History website at www.machs.mo.gov.

Patrol Records Division

The Patrol Records Division serves as a data repository of statewide motor vehicle and boating crash reports, convictions of alcohol- and drug-related traffic offenses, dispositions on Missouri State Highway Patrol traffic and marine arrests, and assignment of unique numbers for inclusion on the Uniform Citation. The division maintains Missouri’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Additionally, the Patrol Records Division houses the Patrol’s Custodian of Records, which is responsible for the dissemination of records outside the agency within the guidelines set forth by the Missouri Sunshine Law.

Executive Services Bureau

Budget & Procurement Division

The Budget and Procurement Division prepares and presents the Missouri State Highway Patrol budget requests to the governor and to the legislature. The Financial Section oversees accounts payable and accounts receivable for all state and federal funding. The Supply and Procurement Section coordinates Patrol purchases, maintains a stock of necessary supplies, maintains a list of Patrol assets, and prints forms, brochures, etc. The Grants Section is responsible for coordinating all grant-related activities for the Patrol.

Governor’s Security Division

The Governor’s Security Division is responsible for the transportation, security, and protection of the governor and his immediate family. The division may also provide security to the lieutenant governor, upon request, when acting as governor. The division is a member of the National Governors Security Association, and provides protection services to visiting governors and other officials. Division members assist the U.S. Secret Service when the president or any presidential cabinet level protectee visits the state.

Research & Development Division

The Research and Development Division responsibilities include management of organizational policy, strategic planning, and the accreditation process. RDD is also responsible for management of organizational forms, staff inspections, external assessments, and oversight for the statewide property control system. Another RDD function includes the Missouri Statistical Analysis Center, which provides research, technical, and statistical analytical support.

Troop Contact Information

Contact

Missouri State Highway Patrol
1510 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3313

Emergency Assistance: 1-800-525-5555 or cellular *55

Road Conditions: 1-888-275-6636