State Representative Jeff Myers, a Warrenton Republican, has taken the initiative to pre-file a bill and a joint resolution in the Missouri House of Representatives. The purpose of these filings is to propose the relocation of the state’s leading law enforcement agency from the Missouri Department of Public Safety. This would result in the establishment of a new state department dedicated solely to law enforcement matters.
According to Myers, the restructuring will not incur any additional costs and will simply involve administrative changes to eliminate what he perceives as unnecessary bureaucratic oversight.
According to Myers, it is crucial for the colonel to have direct communication with the governor in order to eliminate bureaucracy and streamline government operations. He believes that the Missouri National Guard, which was designated as a cabinet agency during the previous election cycle, should serve as a model for the state patrol due to its significant size.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety not only manages the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), but also oversees several other agencies and commissions. These include the Missouri Capitol Police, the Division of Fire Safety, the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, the Missouri Veterans Commission, the State Emergency Management Agency, and the Missouri Gaming Commission.
The MSHP had the second-highest budget among DPS divisions in 2023, accounting for 36% of the total department expenditures. It was closely behind the SEMA, which accounted for 38.8% of the budget.
According to the state’s accountability portal, the DPS currently has a workforce of approximately 5,200 employees, with around 2,600 of them serving in the MSHP.
State records show that the Department of Public Safety (DPS) does not have the highest number of employees among state agencies. Instead, it falls behind the Corrections, Mental Health, Social Services, and Transportation departments.
Outgoing DPS Director Sandy Karsten, who will retire on January 13, chose not to express her opinion on Myers’ proposal. This decision aligns with department policy, which prohibits public comments on legislation currently under consideration.
According to Karsten, regardless of any restructuring of state government agencies, there will still be areas where their work overlaps.
Karsten explained that there is a significant overlap between the divisions, and a great deal of collaboration takes place within them. Even if any adjustments were made, Karsten believes that the collaboration for public safety would remain very similar.
Karsten has a background as superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol before taking on the role of DPS director.
Karsten expressed his belief in the effectiveness of collaboration between the two entities for the betterment of Missouri. He compared this collaboration to the success of the National Guard becoming its own department. Karsten emphasized the importance of this partnership in ensuring public safety.
Myers’ proposal relies on a constitutional amendment that would need to be approved by voters in order to create an exception to the Missouri Constitution’s cap on the number of state agencies.
The First Regular Session of the 103rd General Assembly is scheduled to commence on January 8, with both the Missouri House and Senate convening for this purpose.
