Safer Missouri

Operation Relentless Pursuit, as outlined in Executive Order 25-02, is a regional anti-crime effort that emphasizes intelligence-led policing and cross-jurisdiction collaboration to apprehend the most dangerous fugitive felons. Data analysis shows there are currently over 17,600 active felony arrest warrants across Missouri, which poses a significant threat to public safety since studies show that individuals evading felony warrants are likely to engage in additional criminal activities, further endangering Missourians. The strategies include:

• The designation of nine full-time Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) investigators to act as liaisons with local law enforcement within each of the nine troop regions – one Patrol investigator for each of the nine troops;
• Allocating state funds to support one new deputy sheriff within each of the nine Patrol troops who, along with the Patrol liaison, will be dedicated to co-leading task force operations, including targeted operations against criminal activity; and
• Directing the Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with the Missouri State Highway Patrol to establish intelligence sharing mechanisms between the Missouri Information Analysis Center and the U.S. Marshals Service Investigations Operations Division. This collaboration will include identifying and developing the most current intelligence on the locations of fugitives.

Governor Kehoe Reports on Success of Operation Relentless Pursuit One Month After the Anti-Crime Effort Began Operations

DPS Director Mark James meets with Highway Patrol troopers and deputy sheriffs from across the state during Operation Relentless Pursuit training in Jefferson City on April 4, 2025.

To ensure effective enforcement of immigration laws, Governor Kehoe directed the Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, to establish and maintain a memorandum of agreement (known as a 287(g) designation) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to assist ICE in removing illegal immigrants arrested for criminal violations in Missouri. On March 12, 2025, the Governor, Director James and Patrol Col. Michael Turner signed an MOA with ICE. This action will protect Missouri communities from criminal activity and the deadly flow of narcotics, including fentanyl. Executive Order 25-04 directs the Patrol to designate specific troopers to undergo immigration enforcement training with an emphasis on preventing illegal immigration, apprehending criminal offenders, and interdicting drug trafficking activities as an integral part of their regular responsibilities within Missouri. Once trained, the designated troopers shall be authorized to enforce federal immigration laws. DPS and the Patrol are also directed to collaborate with federal agencies to share intelligence, coordinate operations, and enhance Missouri's ability to address threats associated with illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking.

Because of the challenges illegal immigration poses to public safety, Governor Kehoe also directed DPS and the Patrol to include immigration status within the required fields of Missouri’s uniform crime reporting system, known as the Missouri Incident-Based Reporting System (MIBRS). State and local law enforcement agencies collect the required data for each person charged with a crime in Missouri, enter it into MIBRS, and report it monthly to the Highway Patrol. DPS and the Patrol are statutorily required to collect, maintain and analyze the data received and forward the appropriate information to the FBI for use in national crime statistics along with making the data available to law enforcement and the public. Mandating for the first time that data on immigration status is collected, through Executive Order 20-05, will provide a fuller picture of the impact of crime committed by illegal immigrants, better identify gaps in enforcement and create a safer environment in Missouri.