Interoperable Communications Initiative

The capability to communicate across jurisdictional and discipline lines (interoperability of communications) is one of the top priorities of Missouri’s homeland security program. Ensuring that neighboring jurisdictions and multiple disciplines can communicate with each other leads to better emergency and disaster response and ultimately makes for safer communities.

Missouri is currently constructing a statewide public safety interoperable communications system, known as the Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network (MOSWIN). MOSWIN is a network of communications towers, base stations and communications software. The project will build the infrastructure that will provide interoperable communications throughout the state to both state public safety agencies and any local jurisdictions that wish to use the system for their interoperable communications.

The system will also meet a Federal Communications Commission mandate that all public safety agencies in the U.S. operate only in a "narrowband" mode after January 1, 2013.

Homeland Security

To ensure security the Missouri Office of Homeland Security was established on September 26, 2001. Missouri was the first state in the nation to create an Office of Homeland Security in response to the disaster of September 11, 2001.

The Homeland Security Advisory Council was established to review state and local security plans and grant funding requests and make recommendations for changes to better protect Missourians. The Homeland Security Advisory Council was designed to be comprised of the Director of the Department of Public Safety and relevant Public Safety Division Directors, but equally as important, Directors of other state departments. This ensures a statewide focus for homeland security and an effective means for coordination of resources.

Crime Victim Services Unit (CVSU)

Crime Victim Services Unit (CVSU) provides guidance to non-for-profit agencies, local and state governments on practices and policies that impact crime victims and provides funding, training, and consultation to help communities develop programs to serve crime victims. This activity also includes assisting victims who encounter difficulty accessing services or who believe they have been deprived of their statutory or constitutional rights. Additional activities include notification and assistance to victims whose offenders are scheduled to be released from custody or have an upcoming court hearing, or informing them the service status of their Protection Order.

Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST)

The Department of Public Safety's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program is a regulatory agency that is responsible for the licensure of peace officers, reserve peace officers, basic training instructors, curriculum, and training centers.

Juvenile Justice

The Juvenile Justice Program is responsible for administering federal grants that help support local juvenile justice and delinquency prevention initiatives. Additionally, grant funds are awarded to local and private agencies for training in juvenile justice, systems improvements, and intervention programs. Our federal grant funds are made available to us through the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement (CJ/LE)

The Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Program (formerly known as the Narcotics Control Assistance Program or NCAP) administers several different grant programs to provide financial assistance to Law Enforcement Agencies, Court & Prosecution Programs, Crime Laboratories, and Correctional Facilities. Our federal grant funds are made available to us through the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Crime Victims' Compensation (CVC)

The Crime Victims' Compensation Program provides financial assistance to victims who have suffered physical harm as a result of violent crime. In the case of death, the Program helps the victim's dependents. The Crime Victims' Compensation Program is designed to assist victims of violent crimes through a period of financial hardship as a payor of last resort. If a victim has exhausted other collateral sources, such as health insurance, and has no other source of reimbursement, the Program can help pay for medical costs, wage loss, psychological counseling, funeral expenses and support to a maximum limit of $25,000.

Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Program

The Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) program provides help for sexual assault victims. Appropriate medical providers are required to bill the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Program for reasonable charges incurred in collecting evidence during a forensic examination resulting from a sexual assault or sexual abuse in Missouri. The victim is not to be billed for any sexual assault forensic examination charges.

Child Physical Abuse Forensic Examination Program

The Child Physical Abuse Forensic Examination Program was established to cover the cost of the professional fee for SAFE-CARE providers who perform a forensic examination to collect and preserve evidence on children under 18 years of age who have been a victim of physical abuse in Missouri.