Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the following promotion effective June 1, 2015:

Lieutenant Roger D. Whittler will be promoted to the rank of captain and designated director of the newly created Career Recruitment Division, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO.

Whittler was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1987, as a member of the 59th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop D, Zone 5, Carthage, MO. He also served in Zone 8, Lamar, MO, and Zone 10, Marshfield, MO. In September 1999, Whittler was promoted to corporal and designated assistant officer-in-charge of the Station’s Casino St. Charles Enforcement Team within the Patrol’s Gaming Division. He was promoted to sergeant in 2001, and designated officer-in-charge of HTE President’s Casino St. Louis Enforcement Team within the Gaming Division. In 2006, Whittler became a full-time recruiter for the Patrol and was assigned to Troop C. Later that same year, he was promoted to lieutenant and designated assistant director of the Human Resources Division, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO.

Captain Whittler grew up in New Bloomfield, MO. He attended Jefferson City High School, Jefferson City, MO, until 1981 when he joined the U.S. Army Reserves where he served from 1981-1992. In 1993, Whittler graduated from Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, MO, with a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice. He graduated with a master’s degree in sociology from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO, in 2008; and a master’s degree in education and counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2011. In August 2011, Whittler became a licensed professional counselor, certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Captain Whittler has a son, Tyler, 24. Captain Whittler and his wife, Karen, reside in Jefferson City.

A photo is available upon request.