St. Louis County Senator Proposes ‘Missouri Rangers’ for School Safety
In a bold move to enhance student protection, St. Louis County Senator David Gregory (R) has formally urged Governor Mike Kehoe to convene a special legislative session. Gregory’s proposal centers on establishing the “Missouri Rangers,” a specialized state police force dedicated to safeguarding schools across the state.
Addressing Mounting Concerns Over School Violence
Senator Gregory’s call for action, outlined in a letter sent to Gov. Kehoe on Monday, September 17, 2025, stems from a deep concern over “dramatically increasing gun violence against children.” He emphasized the urgent need for Missouri to become a leader in school safety, citing a tragic 2023 Christian school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities.
Beyond gun violence, Gregory also highlighted the necessity to “legally acknowledge Christophobia, define it, and legislate solutions to stop the hatred and political violence towards Christians and schools.” The representative additionally underscored that the safety of children cannot be overlooked following the death of Charlie Kirk.
Introducing the Missouri Rangers: A Specialized Force
The core of Senator Gregory’s proposal is the creation of the Missouri Rangers, an “elite” police force with a distinct mission. Unlike existing school resource officers (SROs), these Rangers would be state police officers specifically trained in comprehensive school safety protocols and assigned to every single K-12 school in Missouri, encompassing both public and private institutions.
Beyond Traditional School Resource Officers
Gregory insists that the Missouri Rangers would offer a level of specialized expertise currently not met by all school resource officers. Their training would extend beyond merely responding to active threats, covering a broad spectrum of potential dangers:
- Advanced Security Techniques: Highly specialized training in lockdown procedures, behavioral observation, and defensive tactics.
- Comprehensive Emergency Response: Preparedness for a wide range of emergencies, including first aid needs, tornado responses, flood responses, and fires.
- Proactive Presence: A consistent, dedicated state police presence aimed at deterring incidents and providing immediate intervention.
While the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (MOPCA) acknowledges the importance of SRO training—having trained nearly 100 new SROs this year with around 350 attending their yearly conference—Gregory envisions the Rangers as a distinct, state-level initiative with a broader mandate and consistent, specialized training across all schools.
The Financial Implications
Implementing a program of this scale would undoubtedly carry a significant cost. With approximately 2,200 public schools and an additional 600 private schools in Missouri, the plan to assign one Ranger to each facility would require roughly 2,800 officers. Using a starting salary for a new state trooper at about $58,000 per year, the estimated annual cost to taxpayers would be at least $162,400,000.
This substantial fiscal note is a critical component that legislators and the public will need to consider as discussions around the proposal move forward. While there is no detailed fiscal analysis available yet, the initial figures suggest a considerable investment in school security.
What to Watch Next
The Missouri Police Chiefs Association has voiced its support for any initiatives that enhance school safety for Missouri’s children. Chief Robert Shockey of the MOPCA confirmed their commitment to collaborating with the Governor and elected officials on “any new legislation that may arise.” The immediate next step is for Governor Kehoe to respond to Senator Gregory’s request for a special session, which would kickstart the legislative process and allow for detailed debate and planning around the Missouri Rangers proposal.
| Feature | Missouri Rangers (Proposed) | Current School Resource Officers (SROs) |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Dedicated state police officer to EVERY K-12 school (public & private) | Local officers, varying assignments; not guaranteed for every school |
| Training Focus | Highly specialized in school safety, security, emergency response (e.g., lockdowns, behavioral observation, first aid, natural disasters) | 40-hour MOPCA class, optional 36-hour advanced; focus on general SRO duties |
| Oversight | State police force (uniformed, centralized) | Local law enforcement agencies (varied standards & resources) |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Missouri Rangers
- Who proposed the Missouri Rangers?
Senator David Gregory (R-St. Louis County) formally requested Governor Mike Kehoe to implement the program. - What is the primary goal of the Missouri Rangers?
To create a highly trained, specialized state police force dedicated to enhancing safety and security in every K-12 school across Missouri. - How would Missouri Rangers differ from current SROs?
Rangers would be state police officers with extensive, specialized training in comprehensive school safety, covering everything from active threats to natural disaster response, and would be assigned to every school. Current SROs are often local officers with varying levels of specialized training. - What is the estimated cost of the program?
Based on a state trooper’s starting salary, the proposal is estimated to cost taxpayers at least $162,400,000 annually. - Does the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (MOPCA) support this initiative?
MOPCA supports any effort to make schools safer and is willing to work with officials on new legislation regarding school safety.
As discussions unfold, St. Louis area residents and stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed and engage with their representatives on this significant proposal for school safety.
Senator proposes Missouri Rangers for school safety
