Professional Standards Division FAQs

The Professional Standards Division investigates allegations of misconduct against employees of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

No. Complaints involving officers from other departments should be filed with the appropriate law enforcement agency.

The Professional Standards Division will accept complaints through the online complaint and commendation system on the Missouri State Highway Patrol website, as well as by phone, email, letter, or in person. Complaints may also be received by any Patrol employee and forwarded to the Professional Standards Division through the online complaint system. Patrol employees will not interfere with, discourage, or delay the making or investigation of a complaint.

You can reach the Professional Standards Division by telephone at (573) 751-8801 or mail your concern to the Professional Standards Division at P.O. Box 568, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0568. Letters of concern should contain your name, address, and telephone number, along with the involved employee's name and/or badge number (if known) and the date of the incident.

In addition to the options above, any of the nine troop headquarters located around the state can receive complaints by phone or in person.

Professional Standards Division investigators will conduct a thorough investigation of your complaint, beginning with a preliminary inquiry to determine the nature of the allegations, verify the reliability and authenticity of information, and identify whether substantive evidence exists to support a formal misconduct investigation. Witnesses and employees may be contacted and asked to give statements. Records and other evidence will be collected and analyzed. Every effort is made to collect all data pertaining to your complaint so that an impartial conclusion may be reached.

When the investigation reveals that the allegation(s) have been substantiated by a preponderance of evidence, and the Superintendent and his or her command staff determine that just cause exists to formally discipline the employee, appropriate administrative action will be taken.

A complaint is unsubstantiated if, by a preponderance of evidence, the facts do not support the allegation(s) or insufficient evidence is available. Investigations may also result in a classification of exonerated, when investigative facts reveal an incident occurred but the employee's conduct was found to be in accordance with policy and/or the law. When investigative facts clearly demonstrate an event or allegation did not happen, the complaint will be classified as unfounded.

Yes. At the conclusion of a formal misconduct investigation, the complainant will receive a letter from the Superintendent summarizing the results of the investigation. However, pursuant to RSMo 610.021, any imposed discipline or termination of employment is considered a closed record and may not be released by law.