Across the state of Missouri, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has seen a growing number of vacancies within their ranks; and Troop E has not been immune to those diminishing numbers.
According to MSHP Sgt. Clark Parrott — information officer for Troop E — the shrinking number of troopers could be attributed to numerous different things.
“Back in the early to mid-nineties, we had several troopers start their career here,” Parrott explained. “So now we’re looking at many of these troopers either retiring, or getting ready for retirement.”
Rather than trying to assign blame to any one particular issue, Parrott said that he believes the issue is cyclical.
“Approximately 30 years ago, we had a lot of vacancies to fill as well,” Parrott explained. “And there were multiple contributing factors then, as well.”
Parrott noted that the area with the most vacancies is Troop C, in the St. Louis area, which he explained as being the largest troop in the state.
“Here, in Troop E, we are allotted 95 troopers, and we currently have 83,” Parrott stated. “We currently have 28 recruits that are in training (to become troopers) and they haven’t received their assignments. So, we don’t know who we are going to get from that number.”
Parrott explained recruits receive assignments to different locations after they complete their training, and local troops don’t have any say about who they get.
“We do have an accelerated academy,” Parrott explained. “That is specifically for individuals with law enforcement training and experience, and that’s a 15-week program. We’ve had some success with that.”
Parrott went on to explain the incentive for current law enforcement officers to consider the MSHP is that they can stay where they are currently located.
“Say, for instance, if we hire an officer from the local police department, they will get to stay here after they complete the accelerated program,” Parrott noted. “So, we don’t have to worry about losing that trooper to St. Louis or some other large area that has more vacancies.”
Parrott also explained troopers aren’t the only areas with vacancies. According to the information provided by Parrott, there are numerous civilian openings.
“We’re currently allotted 69 civilian spots, and we’re currently eight individuals short of that,” Parrott said. “Those are positions like maintenance, driving examiners, etc.”
Parrott noted those positions are extremely important for multiple reasons.
“If you think about it, those civilians positions are often the face of our troop for the public,” Parrott explained. “The reason is because a lot of people don’t have interactions with troopers, but they do have to interact with driving examiners and other such things.”
Parrott went on to explain standard law enforcement concerns continue to be applicable to Troop E, but he said there are other normal concerns that will soon be elevated.
“Every four-lane highway is a potential avenue for drug trafficking,” Parrot remarked. “And as more law enforcement attention gets shifted to interstates, then people will start to focus on other routes.
“But when you look at a situation like highways 60 and 67 becoming an interstate, there ends up being more traffic with more trucks, and that elevates the risk of more accidents. So we need the public to continue to be aware of that increase and buckle up and pay attention.”
As for the efforts to fill local trooper vacancies, Parrott said that the MSHP will continue to recruit in as many areas as possible.
“We will continue to encourage local law enforcement officials to work with us, and we will continue to encourage anyone who is interested to apply,” Parrott said. “But, we will not compromise our standards. We thoroughly vet our candidates and we won’t change that at all.”