EXECUTIVE ORDER 25-02

WHEREAS, there are currently over 17,600 active felony arrest warrants across the State of Missouri, posing a significant threat to public safety and community well-being; and

WHEREAS, studies show that individuals evading felony warrants are likely to engage in additional criminal activity, further endangering Missouri’s citizens and communities; and

WHEREAS, addressing this challenge requires a concerted, intelligence-led approach that leverages state, federal, county, and local law enforcement resources to locate and apprehend fugitives; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Information Analysis Center and the U.S. Marshals Service Investigations Operations Division provide critical capabilities for sharing and analyzing intelligence to identify and locate fugitives effectively; and

WHEREAS, collaboration among law enforcement agencies is essential for enhancing the accuracy of intelligence, improving operational coordination, and ensuring the allocation of necessary manpower and resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE KEHOE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Missouri, hereby establish "Operation Relentless Pursuit," a coordinated, intelligence-led law enforcement initiative to locate and apprehend fugitives subject to felony arrest warrants.

  1. Intelligence Sharing: I further order the Director of the Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with the Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, to establish and fortify mechanisms for sharing intelligence between the Missouri Information Analysis Center and the U.S. Marshals Service Investigations Operations Division. This collaboration shall include, but not be limited to, identifying, and developing the most current intelligence on the location of fugitives.
  2. Highway Patrol Investigators: I further order the Director of the Department of Public Safety to designate a full-time Missouri Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) investigator within each of the nine Highway Patrol troop regions to assist in this initiative. These investigators shall act as liaisons between regional drug task forces, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other federal, state, and local agencies.

    The designated DDCC investigators shall:

    • Facilitate the sharing of intelligence and operational plans with relevant agencies;
    • Coordinate manpower, equipment, and other resources necessary to execute fugitive apprehensions; and
    • Serve as the primary point of contact for multi-agency task forces operating within their respective regions.
  3. Law Enforcement Collaboration: I further order the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Missouri Information Analysis Center to collaborate with the U.S. Marshals Service, county sheriffs, municipal law enforcement, and other partners to ensure efficient and effective execution of Operation Relentless Pursuit.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 13th day of January, 2025.

[signature of Mike Kehoe]
MIKE KEHOE
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[signature of Denny Hoskins]
DENNY HOSKINS
SECRETARY OF STATE

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