Department of Public Safety News Release

Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten today announced that Zim Schwartze has been named Chief of Missouri Capitol Police. Schwartze, a 28-year public safety veteran who is currently Director of Springfield-Greene County 911 Emergency Communications, will begin work on Jan. 6. 

Schwartze has held a broad range of public safety leadership positions during her 28-year career in Missouri, including law enforcement commander, emergency management director, 911 emergency communications director and adjunct law enforcement instructor.

“The safety of employees, elected officials and visitors to the Missouri Capitol Complex is one of the top priorities of the Department of Public Safety,” said Sandra Karsten, director of the Department of Public Safety. “Zim Schwartze is a proven public safety leader with experience in community policing, emergency management, emergency communications, and law enforcement education and training. She also has a track record of working collaboratively with other public safety agencies, supporting members of her teams and transparency with the public. She’s an ideal fit for Missouri Capitol Police.”

Schwartze has served as director of Springfield-Greene County 911 Communications since 2013. It serves more than 20 police and fire agencies and has more than 80 full-time employees. From 2009 to 2012, she was director of both Columbia/Boone County Public Safety Joint Communications and Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management. Schwartze was a sworn member of the Columbia Police Department from 1992 to 2012, obtaining the rank of captain.

Schwartze has served as an adjunct instructor at the Law Enforcement Training Institute at the University of Missouri – Columbia since 1995. She holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri – Columbia. She is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy and the Northwestern University Center of Public Safety.

Schwartze is a native of Jefferson City.

Missouri Capitol Police has responsibility for security at the Missouri Capitol and throughout the Jefferson City Capitol Complex.       

For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov