JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Following five public hearings around the state and months of discussion, a bipartisan group of state representatives today released its final report on the 2011 merger that placed the Water Patrol into the Missouri State Highway Patrol. State Rep. Diane Franklin, who chairs the House Review Committee on the 2011 Water Patrol Division Merger, said the group found several areas where the patrol can improve training and increase its level of community involvement.
“After listening to testimony from all the stakeholders and reviewing all of the relevant data, it is now clear that there are some key areas where the Water Patrol can takes steps to become more effective and efficient,” said Franklin, R-Camdenton. “So far I have been extremely pleased at the response we have had from MSHP and everyone involved with the Water Patrol Division as they have already started to implement some of our ideas. Our goal is to have them provide us with an extensive update in six months so we can assess the progress they have made.”
The committee was formed last year to conduct a comprehensive review of the way the division is managed; the training received by troopers; and the overall cost benefit the state has realized from the merger. Franklin said one of the things uncovered by the committee is that the merger has not saved the state money as the governor promised when he made the merger a priority.
The Water Patrol was merged into the State Highway Patrol in 2011 following a piece of legislation (HB 1868) that was passed and signed into law in 2010. Following the passage of the bill, Gov. Nixon said the merger would save the state $3 million annually and make the patrol “an even more effective force, seamlessly patrolling Missouri’s roads and waters.”
“Based on the audit done by State Auditor Schweich, the merger actually costs taxpayers an additional $900,000 each year,” said Franklin. “We also discovered that the merger caused the patrol to deviate in some cases from its pre-merger procedures and operations in training, field training, visibility, and interaction with the boating community.”
Franklin also noted the committee uncovered several benefits that have resulted from the merger, including enhanced information and data access through improved technology, increased support on marines operations boats and vehicles, as well as the capability to renovate the swim training pool.
The list of recommendations made by the committee is as follows:
[if !supportLists](1) [endif]A thorough internal review to be conducted by Captain Matt Walz;
[if !supportLists](2) [endif]Training, certification, and recertification of Marine Operations Officers and Command Officers
a. Establish a swimming standard for its marine enforcement training;
b. Conduct an annual recertification of all marine officers for swimming and
pertinent training in the offseason;
c. Establish a specialized marine field training program throughout the agency and
ensure that all troopers have met the required standards;
d. Develop a command officer marine operations training course;
[if !supportLists](3) [endif]Foster improved relationships with community stakeholders and those who enjoy Missouri’s waterways
[if !supportLists](4) [endif]Promote boater safety and education courses within local schools and communities.
[if !supportLists](5) [endif]Zone Realignment
a. Establish specialized marine operation zones whereby marine officers will
maximize time on water duties;
b. Begin cultivating specific recruitment for marine operations officers;
c. Distinctly mark patrol boats so they are visible and easily recognizable;
(6) Finances and Activity
a. Establish a method of data collection that can be readily measured, analyzed, and reported when necessary; and
[if !supportLists](7) [endif]Utilize the knowledge and training of the remaining incumbent Water Patrol managers.
[if !supportLists](8) [endif]Provide the committee with an extensive update in six months to examine the progress on the recommendations
[if !supportLists](9) [endif]In two years a legislative overview to inspect the implementation and results stemming from the committee’s recommendations
The committee’s complete report can be viewed at the following link: http://house.mo.gov/pr/MissouriStateWaterPatrolReport.pdf
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