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:
Lt. Eric F. Brown
(573) 526-6115
Q9182025
09-18-2025
EMPHASIS:
Missouri State Highway Patrol Announces New Initiative
Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the formation of the Strategic Traffic Operations and Rapid Mobilization (STORM) team. The formation of the STORM team is a proactive step by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Department of Public Safety to help ensure Missouri is a safe place to live and visit.
STORM is a specialized group composed of 23 troopers established to aggressively enforce criminal activity and hazardous driving behaviors throughout Missouri. STORM is made up of troopers with diverse expertise including canine units, impaired driving enforcement, hazardous moving specialists, interdiction officers, and motorcycle officers. The Patrol’s Aircraft Division will frequently be involved in STORM operations.
The STORM team has been operational since September 1, 2025. The team has been deployed on a smaller scale across various regions in the state. The first large scale operation of the STORM team was on September 16, 2025. During that operation ten STORM team members and the Aircraft Division deployed throughout Jackson County with a primary focus on hazardous driving behaviors and drug activity in the area. The results of the operation are listed below.
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72 Traffic Stops
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89 Warnings
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5 Speed Citations
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14 Hazardous Moving Citations
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27 Non-Moving Citations
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18 Misdemeanor Arrests
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12 Felony Arrests
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1 Firearm Seized
The STORM team will be utilized across Missouri as needed. The team will primarily focus their efforts on roadways with high crash rates, dangerous driving behaviors, and criminal activity. STORM will also be utilized as needed to assist other agencies with addressing criminal activity related to street takeover events.
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