In his first day in office, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed six executive orders and officially launching his Safer Missouri public safety initiative.
Safer Missouri focuses on reducing crime and supporting local law enforcement.
Governor Kehoe also enacted the following measures:
Executive Order 25-02 establishes “Operation Relentless Pursuit”, a regional anti-crime effort that emphasizes intelligence-led policing and cross-jurisdiction collaboration in order to collectively pursue and apprehend dangerous fugitives. The strategies employed in this enforcement initiative will include:
- The designation of full time Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) investigators within each of the nine troop regions; and
- Allocation of budgetary funds to support one new deputy sheriff within each MSHP troop who will be dedicated to task force operations, including targeted operations against criminal activities.
Executive Order 25-03 launches the Blue Shield Program to recognize local governments for their dedication to effective law enforcement and community safety. A Blue Shield designation highlights initiatives that enhance public safety, strengthen support for law enforcement and build lasting partnerships with the community. Issuance of the Blue Shield designation enables law enforcement agencies to access specific state grant opportunities.
Executive Order 25-04 establishes a 287(g) designation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow state and local law enforcement to assist in enforcing immigration laws. The executive order directs the Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) designate specific MSHP troopers to undergo immigration enforcement training with an emphasis on preventing illegal immigration, apprehending criminal offenders, and interdicting drug trafficking activities as an integral part of their regular responsibilities within Missouri.
Executive Order 25-05 charges DPS and MSHP with the collection of immigration status within the statewide uniform crime data reporting system for those charged with crimes in Missouri.
Executive Order 25-06 tasks DPS with modifying the Patrol’s salary schedule by reducing the time of service required to reach the top salary tier from 15 years of service to 12 years of service.
Executive Order 25-07 directs the Department of Corrections and Parole to assemble a working group comprised of stakeholders to assess the existing rules with regard to the eligibility of offenders for parole, conduct of parole hearings and the conditions to imposed on paroled offenders. Once the group’s recommendations have been received, the Board will present amended rules to the governor’s office by October 1, 2025. The current rules, as set by Section 217.690.4 RSMo., have not been amended since 2017. By enhancing guidelines and processes through formal rulemaking, Missouri can continue to refine its approach to offender management while reducing criminal relapses.