NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115

Q8088
September 26, 2008
EMPHASIS: Public Gives MSHP 91.6% Approval Rating

According to the recent public opinion survey the Missouri State Highway Patrol is fulfilling its mission of service and protection, and doing so very well. Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is pleased to announce the results of the 2008 Public Opinion Survey. Questionnaires were distributed to randomly chosen individuals via the U.S. Mail in late April 2008. A total of 591 completed surveys were returned to the Highway Patrol by early June 2008.

The responses were analyzed and produced the following findings:

* 1 in 3 respondents reported having had direct contact with the Patrol.
* 82.7% of those respondents reported a positive or very positive experience.
* 91.6% gave the Patrol a good or excellent overall rating.
* 95.3% indicated appearance, attitude, and demeanor good or excellent.
* 92.6% approve of DWI spotchecks.
* 35% felt troopers should give more attention to enforcement of aggressive driving laws.
* Respondents cited the following as priorities: enforcing criminal laws (87.9%), detecting/deterring illegal drugs (85.3%), traffic crash investigation (81.2%), and providing service to motorists (80.4%).

“I want to thank those who took time from their busy schedules to respond to our public opinion survey,” said Colonel Keathley. "We take our call to serve and protect seriously, and will use this feedback to further our mission."

The 2008 Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Opinion Survey will be made available in its entirety on the Patrol’s web site: www.mshp.dps.mo.gov. Once at the home page, interested persons should select “statistics” from the top information bar, then “publications” from the left side of the page and then “other”.

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