Missouri State Highway Patrol

The Field Operations Bureau is responsible for coordinating, planning and analyzing the traffic and patrol functions of the nine geographic troops. The nine troops provide the full spectrum of police services throughout the state. In all areas of the state, not within municipal boundaries, the Patrol provides the primary enforcement of all traffic and boating laws. In addition, the Patrol is responsible for investigation of traffic crashes on all roadways, as well as boating crashes and drownings on all waterways. Members of the Patrol are routinely called upon to assist municipal police agencies and sheriff's departments all across the state of Missouri. Additionally, the Field Operations Bureau provides administrative oversight and assistance with emergency/disaster response statewide. The Field Operations Bureau also coordinates the following functions, five (5) Major Crash Investigation Units, four (4) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Teams, Dive Team, Mobile Field Force Operations, Swift Water Rescue Operations, Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs, Driving While Impaired Victim Advocacy, Criminal Interdiction, and gubernatorial inauguration details.

The Patrol currently has eight (8) canine units stationed throughout the state. The canine units serve as a support function for general law enforcement activities. The purpose of the canine unit is to assist law enforcement personnel in the detection of controlled substances and related items, locate lost or missing persons, enhance officer safety, and apprehend criminal suspects.

The Patrol currently has four (4) Special Weapons and Tactics Teams, which are stationed at Troop A, Lee's Summit; Troop C, St. Louis; Troop D, Springfield; and Troop F Jefferson City. The teams are trained and equipped to respond to a variety of critical incidents, ranging from hostage situations to high-risk warrant service. The teams are regularly requested by sheriff's department and police agencies, which lack the personnel and resources to maintain their own unit.

The Patrol currently has nineteen troopers assigned to five (5) Major Crash Investigation Units, located strategically throughout the state. The primary mission of the MCIU is to investigate and provide detailed reporting of serious crashes involving multiple fatalities, commercial motor vehicles and crashes resulting in felony criminal charges. The crash teams also assist other law enforcement agencies with serious traffic crash investigations and critical crime scene mapping. The teams utilize Total Station technology, which allows for the accurate and fair depiction of a crash or critical crime scene diagrammed to scale. Each trooper is trained in the human, mechanical, and environmental factors of traffic crash investigation. They are considered court experts in the field of traffic crash investigation.

The Filling a V.O.I.D. (Victims of Impaired Drivers) program provides support, information and resources, primarily to victims of alcohol/drug related traffic and boating crashes. Victims of these crashes have been identified as an under-served population. Through the services and referrals provided by this program victims have a one-stop source for access to direct service providers. The significance of the trooper's role in responding to victims cannot be overemphasized. Our troopers interact more often with victims than other professionals in the criminal justice system.