Missouri State Water Patrol and You

History

In 1959, legislation was enacted to create the Missouri Boat Commission. The purpose of the commission was to make the waters of the state safe for boating and other water-related activities through registration, inspection, education, and law enforcement.

In 1974, the Omnibus State Reorganization Act transferred the Boat Commission to the Department of Public Safety and the agency was named the Division of Water Safety. In 1989, the agency name was changed to the Missouri State Water Patrol. Since 1959, the authorized number of patrol officers has grown from eight to ninety-nine highly trained, professional officers.

The Missouri State Water Patrol operates in a quasi-military fashion with authority being delegated by rank to patrol officers who are responsible for carrying out the day-to-day priorities of work set by the Commissioner. The Commissioner is appointed by the governor and holds the rank of colonel. Second in command to the Commissioner is the Assistant Commissioner who holds the rank of lieutenant colonel. The lieutenant colonel is responsible for the supervision of all field activities and operations of the Water Patrol and reports to the colonel directly.

The state is divided into six districts with a captain in charge of each district.