MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE

For further information, please contact: Capt. John J. Hotz
Q9292017-1 (573) 526-6115

September 29, 2017
EMPHASIS: Public Gives MSHP 91.2% Approval Rating

According to the recent public opinion survey the Missouri State Highway Patrol is fulfilling its mission of service and protection. Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is pleased to announce the results of the 2017 Public Opinion Survey. This year’s survey was web-based to increase the response rate and collect a more representative sample of Missouri residents. A total of 1,812 people responded to the survey from July 1 to July 31, 2017. It is important to note the survey relied entirely on voluntary responses, and included people who are Missouri residents (97.4%), nonresidents (2.6%), and those who did not disclose this information.

The responses were analyzed and produced the following findings:
* Approximately 3 out of 5 respondents reported having had direct contact with the Patrol. 89.3% of those respondents reported an excellent or good experience.
* 91.2% of respondents gave the Patrol a good or excellent overall rating.
* 92.7% indicated appearance, attitude, and demeanor good or excellent.
*75.3% of respondents indicated enforcing criminal law was the most important duty performed by the MSHP. Detecting/deterring the flow of illegal drugs and traffic crash investigation were identified as very important duties of the MSHP by 70.4% and 69.1% of respondents, respectively.
* 72.8% of respondents indicated MSHP officers are doing an effective to very effective job at deterring alcohol-related boating crashes.
*88.1 percent approve of DWI saturation patrols and 83.3% approve of sobriety checkpoints being used to detect and remove intoxicated drivers from Missouri roadways.

“I very much appreciate those who responded to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Public Opinion Survey,” said Colonel Karsten. "We take our mission seriously, and your feedback will help us evaluate how we answer the call to serve and protect."

The 2017 Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Opinion Survey is available in its entirety on the Patrol’s web site: www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov. The survey can be found in the top left corner of the home page.

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