Just an hour after being sworn into office as governor, Mike Kehoe signed 7 executive orders, with 6 of them focused on supporting law enforcement and reducing crime. The initiative, titled Safer Missouri, is a broad and multi-phase plan to increase public safety for Missouri residents.
The initiative was created with numerous Missouri law enforcement officials from all over the state, it creates incentives for communities to be tougher on crime, aims to create a collaborative relationship with local authorities and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), modifies officer’s salary schedule compensating them better, sooner, and adjusts parole guidelines.
One challenge that Governor Kehoe faces in his first term is infighting the state’s GOP. The last number of years have proven difficult for Republicans to make significant progress in passing legislation through a divided Senate. In November, several more conservative senators left office and now new leadership is stepping in, which might make accomplishing the governor’s goals less of a challenge. Kehoe’s main objectives are to increase public safety and economic prosperity.
The executive orders are detailed out on the governor’s website.
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:
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.