The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) is the highway patrol agency for Missouri and has jurisdiction all across the state. It is a division of the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Colonel Michael A. Turner has been serving as the 25th superintendent since January 30, 2025.
In 1992, MSHP became the 10th state law enforcement agency to receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
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. In addition the Missouri State Highway Patrol has responsibility in criminal interdiction which involves the suppression of marijuana, cocaine, and narcotics on the state's roads and highways including the Missouri Interstate System. 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.
Organization & Troops
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 Recruiting & Community Outreach Division is housed in the MSHP General Headquarters in Jefferson City, Missouri.
+MSHP districts with their constituent troops and scale complexes 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)Troop A serves 13 counties: Bates, Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Platte, Ray and Saline.Troop B serves 16 counties: Adair, Chariton, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Putnam, Ralls and Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, Sullivan.Troop C serves 11 counties: Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Perry, Pike, Saint Charles, St. Francois, Saint Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Warren and Washington.Troop D serves 18 counties: Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald and Newton, Polk, Stone, Taney, Vernon, Webster.Troop E serves 13 counties: Bollinger, Bulter, Dunklin, Iron, Madison, Mississippi, Cape Girardeau, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Scott and Stoddard, Wayne.Troop F serves 13 counties: Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Gasconade, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery and Morgan, Osage.Troop G serves 9 counties: Carter, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Gasconade, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery and Texas, Wright.
Badge and rank structure
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is one of only five State Patrol forces that do not wear a badge on their uniform shirts. The Missouri State Highway Patrol uses a paramilitary rank structure and has the following ranks:
TitleInsigniaNotesSuperintendent (rank of Colonel)The superintendent holds the rank of colonel and is appointed by the governor of Missouri. The superintendent must be confirmed by the Missouri Senate Assistant Superintendent (rank of lieutenant colonel)The assistant superintendent holds the rank of lieutenant colonel and reports directly to the superintendent (colonel). The lieutenant colonel has authority over the bureau commanders and is appointed by the colonel. MajorEach of the six Majors is responsible for command of a bureau within the Highway Patrol and they are appointed by the Colonel.CaptainA captain is generally a commander of one of the nine troops or many divisions within the agency.LieutenantA lieutenant is the assistant commander of a troop or division.Master SergeantA Master Sergeant is the supervisor of a group of troopers, corporals, and/or sergeants.SergeantA Sergeant serves as a specialist or other non-supervisory capacity.CorporalCorporals are the first-line supervisors and are usually assigned as road supervisors within troops. In the absence of a Master Sergeant, they may act as the supervisor.TrooperNo InsigniaCandidates successfully completing the academy and field training are appointed as troopers.Trooper CadetNo InsigniaThe American Legion Trooper Cadet program provides an experience for young individuals who are interested in a career in law enforcement.
State Trooper (Recruit) is the initial rank of oncoming Missouri State Highway Patrol, held while undergoing training at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy.
Vehicles
The MSHP utilizes a variety of vehicles, including but not limited to, the Dodge Durango, Dodge Charger, Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer), Ford F-150 and 250 series, Ford Mustang GT (S650), Chevrolet Tahoe PPV, Ford Transit 250, and the Ram 2500 series. Both fully marked and semi-marked vehicles are used frequently. Colors include but not limited to: white, tan, blue, silver, black, gray, and maroon.
Aircraft The MSHP uses Bell 206B helicopters. In October 15, 2010 a Bell 206B helicopter of the MSHP crashed when it ran out of fuel, resulting in 1 death.
Weapons
Lethal Options:
Glock 45 Gen5 COA 9mm (as of mid 2026) Glock 17 Gen5 9mm (phased out as of mid 2026) Glock 22 .40 S&W (phased out as of late 2018) Colt AR-15 (Rock River LAR-15) 5.56x45mm Remington Model 870 12 Gauge
Less Lethal Options: Pepper Spray (OC Spray) ASP Baton Taser
Fallen Officers 32 Troopers have been killed while on duty since 1931 with one Highway Patrol member dying in World War II.
The members are as follows: