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The Missouri State Park Rangers have been recognized nationally as being one of the leading agencies providing law enforcement services in a recreational setting. The program’s success is grounded in strong management support, necessary legal authority to enforce state laws and park rules and regulations, and adequate funding for personnel and equipment.
Missouri State Park Rangers have established a proud tradition of devotion and commitment to service in performing their duties in a professional and competent manner. Created in 1967, the Missouri State Park Rangers began with 10 commissioned officers (including four seasonal rangers) for the 1968 camping season.
Several rangers spent their first summer of employment rounding up livestock at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. This park covers more than 17,000 acres of rugged, Ozark hills and hollows. The days of free open range were still alive in certain areas of the Ozarks in 1968, and Lake of the Ozarks State Park was good grazing land for the local people.
In the beginning, rangers had to provide their own weapon and were required to keep them locked in their vehicles during daylight hours; they could wear them at night. The department provided uniforms and a flashlight. Most of the patrol vehicles were eight to 10 years old and had more than 150,000 miles. Rangers used their own citizens band radios to communicate with local law enforcement agencies. Rangers did not receive any formal academy training in the early days.
Rangers began attending the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy at Rolla in 1969 when the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission was created. The Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission required all new officers to receive 120 hours of academy training.
In 1982, rangers were given the powers of search and seizure and the jurisdiction on all state highways and county roads passing through state parks and historic sites. The ninth full-time ranger was hired in 1982. Annual in-service training in firearms, first aid, CPR, criminal law, arrest procedures and report writing also began in 1982. The training was held at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, where a firing range was built and a classroom located in the dining lodge.
In 1984, the Ranger Program was issued Smith and Wesson Model 19, .357 caliber revolvers. This handgun replaced the old Model 15, .38 specials, and a few Model 10s issued to some rangers. The Ranger Program was reorganized in 1986 with the state being divided into three regions: Region I, the area north of I-70, Region II the area east of Highway 63 and south of I-70, and Region III including the area west of Highway 63 and south of I-70. A captain, who was assisted by zone sergeants, commanded each region.
The 18th full-time ranger was hired in 1988. This same year, 26 seasonal rangers were also employed from four to nine months. All full-time rangers began attending an additional 120 hours of law enforcement academy training during this year.
In 1989, rangers were issued body armor and shotguns for the first time.
In 1991, 19 seasonal rangers became part-time classified employees. These officers worked from six to nine months. They were given the same salary and benefits as full-time employees during the months they were employed. These rangers worked one day a month during the off-season to maintain their health insurance coverage by the state.
In 1992, the Ranger Program switched to the Glock 22, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Rangers were trained with and issued oleoresin capsicum pepper spray. In the same year, the Ranger Program purchased three mountain bikes to explore as a patrol option. Now, nearly 75 percent of the Ranger Program staff are certified bicycle officers and use the bicycles as a tool to provide community-oriented policing.
The assistant chief park ranger position was created in 1995. This position holds the rank of major. After nearly 30 years of driving mid-sized vehicles, the rangers began driving full-size Ford Crown Victorias. In 1995, the program also began converting the classified part-time rangers to full-time status. In the same year, the ranger uniform was redesigned. The shirts, hats, badges, coats and patches were all changed.
An operations officer position in the department's Division of State Parks' central office was created in 1996. This position was assigned the rank of captain. By 1997, all part-time rangers had been converted to full-time status. This brought the force up to 42 officers. Rangers began attending an additional 240 hours of law enforcement academy training in 1997. By 1999, all rangers were certified as having 470 hours of basic law enforcement training.
In 1997, the ranger fleet began converting to all four-wheel drive Jeep Cherokee police package vehicles. New door decals and reflective stripes were added to the vehicles to make them easier to be recognized as Missouri State Park Rangers vehicles. Rangers also made a transition from the PR-24 side handle baton to the collapsible baton. The original Glock handgun was traded in for an updated model. These pistols were the first to be engraved with “Missouri State Park Rangers” on the slide.
In 1998, the Missouri State Highway Patrol began providing radio communication services for the Ranger Program. Until this time, rangers used local law enforcement agencies for dispatch services. The radio services provided by the Highway Patrol reflect the state’s commitment to interoperable communications and cooperation among public safety agencies.
Over the years, the Missouri State Park Rangers have participated in several historically significant events. Rangers provided security at Times Beach in 1982 when the community was closed due to dioxin contamination. Rangers have also participated in three of the largest manhunts in Missouri history. The first manhunt was centered around Rolla in 1986. The second time was around California in 1992 and the last time was around Truman Lake in 1997. Rangers were involved in the cleanup oversight of the Gasconade River oil spill in 1990. Rangers provided around-the-clock safety and enforcement duties during the floods of 1993 and 1995. And finally, rangers began assisting with the inaugural security for the governor in 1996.
In 2001, Gov. Bob Holden responded to the terrorist attacks on Sept.11 by calling on the Missouri State Park Rangers to assist with security of state office buildings and the State Capitol. Rangers were called into service again in 2002 and 2003.
In 2002, the Missouri State Park Rangers replaced the Glock pistols with the new generation Glock 22 pistol. These upgraded duty weapons featured a tactical light rail and a more anatomical grip. The Park Watch Program was started in 2002 with a goal of increasing contact with the public to provide information about safety and decrease theft and injury.
In the summer of 2003, the Ranger Program introduced a new more practical uniform for everyday use. The new uniform consisted of a black baseball style cap, green six-pocket cargo pants with optional six-pocket cargo shorts and a less formal tan uniform shirt. The Ranger Program retained the traditional uniform consisting of the green campaign style hat, green trousers, tan uniform shirt with green pocket flaps and epaulets for use during formal events. Rangers were trained in the use of tactical folding knives and given the opportunity to have an additional tool for defense.
On Dec.14, 2005, the Taum Sauk Reservoir, located on Proffit Mountain in Reynolds County, failed. More than 1.3 billion gallons of water traveled down the mountain into the East Fork of the Black River and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, wiping out park buildings and the campground. Rangers were deployed for search and rescue and the subsequent 24-hour security of the closed park.
In 2005, the Ranger Program began phasing out four-wheel drive vehicles in parks not requiring off-road capabilities. The replacement patrol vehicles remained fully marked with the state insignia but no longer included the reflective striping.
In early April 2006, a tornado struck Caruthersville, causing massive damage to the town. Gov. Matt Blunt issued Executive Order 06-14, directing the Ranger Program to send 10 rangers as part of the State Law Enforcement Disaster Response Team. Rangers worked alongside other law enforcement agencies providing security for Caruthersville, preventing looting and maintaining peace in the decimated town.
In November 2006, the Ranger Program reorganized its three regions into two larger regions, with a captain commanding each region. The new regions divide the state into two equal units, one encompassing the northern half of the state and the other the southern half of the state. Each region is subdivided into an eastern and western zone, with sergeants assigned to work as field supervisors. Each zone also has a corporal who provides law enforcement services to a specific park, as well as assisting the sergeant with special duties. Though the structure of the Ranger Program has changed, its dedication to serving the public and protecting Missouri’s cultural and natural resources remains strong.
In 2007, the Missouri State Park Ranger Program celebrated 40 years of providing service to the public and state park system.
Today, the Ranger Program has 50 officers organized into a para-military rank structure. The program consists of the following positions:
1 - Chief Park Ranger -- Colonel
1 - Assistant Chief Park Ranger -- Major
1 - Support Staff
1 - Administrative Captain
2 - Region Captains
5 - Sergeants
4 - Corporals
33 - Rangers
3 - Facility Managers who hold law enforcement commissions
These officers provide law enforcement services on a daily basis to the 83 parks and historic sites that comprise the Missouri state park system. The honored tradition of dedication to duty, providing professional law enforcement services and commitment to the safety of all visitors to our facilities, is carried on by today's generation of park rangers. Their motto, "Service, Safety and Enforcement," provides the guiding principle in the role of supporting the Missouri state park system mission.
