EXECUTIVE ORDER 25-03

WHEREAS, law enforcement is essential for the safety and security of Missouri's citizens, communities, and visitors; and

WHEREAS, engagement between the community and law enforcement plays a critical role in reducing crime by fostering trust between residents and law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, local participation in widespread initiatives cultivates a sense of collective responsibility, trust, and ownership; and

WHEREAS, public safety is the responsibility of communities at large – not just sworn peace officers, and requires commitment from local leaders; and

WHEREAS, community buy-in and accountability plays a significant role in influencing criminal activity within a community; and

WHEREAS, a local government's commitment to enhance public safety, foster law enforcement support, and encourage community partnerships related to public safety are worth encouraging, supporting, and recognizing.

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 order the following:

  1. Establishment of the Blue Shield Program: I hereby establish the "Blue Shield Program", a statewide initiative to recognize local governments that are committed to public safety within their community.
  2. Directive to the Department of Public Safety: The Missouri Department of Public Safety shall administer the Blue Shield Program.
  3. Program Description: A Blue Shield designation recognizes and supports a local government's efforts to enhance public safety, foster law enforcement support, and encourage community partnerships relative to public safety.
  4. Eligibility: Local governments that meet the following criteria may be eligible for the Blue Shield Program, as reviewed and approved by the Department of Public Safety:
    • The local government's governing body has passed a resolution demonstrating its commitment to public safety, including a commitment to reduce violent crime within its jurisdiction;
    • The local government has made extraordinary investments in public safety in the last five years, or has included extraordinary funding for public safety in the current budget;
    • The community has active community policing initiatives in place or has partnered with local stakeholders in a joint effort to invest in and/or improve public safety in a significant way;
    • The local government's law enforcement agency has a police officer recruitment and retention program;
    • The local government has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing crime or created innovative programs that attempt to reduce crime;
    • The local government's law enforcement agency participates in regional anti-crime task forces, or has a demonstrated commitment to be a willing partner with them in the future; and
    • The local government's law enforcement agency is in compliance with at least the following statutes: sections 43.505, 43.544, 590.030, 590.650.3, 590.700, and 590.1265, RSMo.

The Director of the Department of Safety may establish additional requirements for local government participation in the program.

Applications for the Blue Shield Program shall be submitted to the Department of Public Safety and include documentation of how the local government has met all of the aforementioned requirements. The local government should also include a summary of their law enforcement agency's recent accomplishments and goals for both the coming year and upcoming five years.

  1. Reporting and Accountability: Any local government that receives a Blue Shield designation shall submit a brief report annually to the Department of Public Safety that describes the local government's dedication to public safety and law enforcement over the past year and its goals for the coming year. If the Department of Public Safety determines a local government no longer meets the requirements of the program, the department may withdraw the designation from the local government. The use of the program insignia is limited to currently active local governments and the Department of Public Safety. If a local government is no longer eligible for the program, they shall cease using the program insignia.

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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