St. Louis County Senator Proposes “Missouri Rangers” for School Safety
A St. Louis County Senator is spearheading a bold new initiative to enhance school security across Missouri. Senator David Gregory has formally requested Governor Mike Kehoe to convene a special legislative session to address the escalating issue of gun violence against children, proposing the creation of a specialized school safety force.
This proposal, dubbed the “Missouri Rangers,” aims to place highly trained state police officers in every K-12 school statewide, both public and private. The move comes as school safety remains a critical concern for families and educators alike in the region.
The Call for “Missouri Rangers”
Sen. David Gregory (R-St. Louis County) formally outlined his vision in a letter to Gov. Mike Kehoe, urging immediate action. Gregory emphasized that “It’s time for the state of Missouri to step up and be a leader in school safety across the country.” His motivation stems from tragic events, specifically citing a 2023 Christian school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. Furthermore, Gregory called for legal acknowledgment and solutions for “Christophobia,” defining it as hatred and political violence towards Christians and schools, and also highlighted the death of Charlie Kirk as a reason to prioritize child safety.
A Specialized Force for Every School
Under Gregory’s plan, the Missouri Rangers would be an “elite police force” with a singular focus on school safety. Unlike general school resource officers (SROs), these Rangers would be state police officers specifically assigned to individual K-12 institutions. This means every public and private school in Missouri would have a dedicated, state-funded security presence.
Training Beyond Traditional Security
The proposed Missouri Rangers would undergo extensive, specialized training. Gregory outlined key areas of focus:
- Lockdown techniques and emergency response protocols
- Behavioral observation to identify potential threats early
- Advanced defensive tactics
- Comprehensive emergency preparedness for various scenarios, including active threats, first aid needs, and natural disasters like tornadoes and floods.
This broad scope highlights an intent for Rangers to be all-hazard responders, not just focused on active shooter situations.
Current School Safety Efforts in Missouri
While the “Missouri Rangers” represent a new approach, the state already has programs in place to enhance school security. Chief Robert Shockey, Executive Director of the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (MOPCA), indicated strong support for any initiatives that improve school safety. MOPCA plays a significant role in training existing school resource officers, having trained nearly 100 new SROs this year, with approximately 350 attending their annual conference. Their training includes a 40-hour basic class and a 36-hour advanced SRO class, offered three times a year. MOPCA has committed to working with the Governor and other officials on new legislation to make schools safer.
The Significant Cost of Comprehensive Safety
Implementing the Missouri Rangers program would involve a substantial financial commitment from taxpayers. While a formal fiscal note is pending, Senator Gregory’s proposal outlines a considerable expenditure. With roughly 2,200 public schools and an additional 600 private schools in Missouri, assigning a state police officer to each—at an estimated starting salary of $58,000 per new state trooper—would cost at least $162,000,000 annually. This figure does not include equipment, benefits, or ongoing training costs, indicating a major investment for the state.
Comparing Current SROs to Proposed Rangers
| Feature | Current MOPCA SROs | Proposed Missouri Rangers |
|---|---|---|
| Affiliation | Local law enforcement, often funded by districts | State police officers (new specialized elite force) |
| Training (Basic) | 40-hour MOPCA class | “Highly trained and specialized” (implied more extensive) |
| Key Focus | General school resource, law enforcement liaison | Exclusive focus on school safety and security |
| Coverage Goal | Varies by district, around 350 attend yearly conf. | One officer for every K-12 public & private school |
| Cost Burden | Local/district level | State-funded (estimated $162M+ annually) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the “Missouri Rangers” proposal?
It’s a plan by Sen. David Gregory to create an elite state police force, called Missouri Rangers, with a dedicated officer assigned to every K-12 public and private school in the state for security. - Why is this proposal being made now?
Sen. Gregory cited dramatically increasing gun violence against children, referencing a 2023 Nashville school shooting, a call to address “Christophobia,” and the death of Charlie Kirk as motivations for the initiative. - How would the Missouri Rangers be different from existing school resource officers?
Rangers would be state police officers with highly specialized training in school safety, focusing on lockdown techniques, behavioral observation, defensive tactics, and all-hazard emergency responses (not just active threats). - What are the estimated costs of this program?
Based on roughly 2,800 schools and a new state trooper’s starting salary of $58,000, the program is estimated to cost taxpayers at least $162,000,000 annually. - What happens next with this proposal?
Sen. Gregory has formally requested Gov. Mike Kehoe to call a special legislative session to address the plan. The next steps will involve the Governor’s response and potential legislative debate.
As this significant proposal unfolds, St. Louis County residents and all Missourians should stay informed about the discussions surrounding school safety and the potential impact on both community security and state finances. Keep an eye on legislative developments for what could be a transformative approach to protecting our children.
Senator proposes Missouri Rangers for school safety
