EXECUTIVE ORDER
80-20

WHEREAS certain allegations have been made with reference to the Missouri State Highway Patrol concerning improprieties in the disposition of motor vehicles traffic tickets in Troop C of the Patrol, and

WHEREAS, although the Patrol is conducting an internal investigation concerning these allegations, there are questions of public importance which must also be answered independent of the internal investigation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH P. TEASDALE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, in order to insure that the officers and patrolmen of the Highway Patrol have confidence in the high standards of the Patrol, and, in order to assure the people of the state that the practices and procedures of the Highway Patrol operate at the highest of standards and are without blemish and, if not, what actions maybe taken to remedy any practices which may have given rise to such improprieties, I hereby appoint and commission the Honorable Orville W. Richardson, Senior Circuit Judge, as Special Investigative Officer to determine or review the following:

  1. Whether the present internal practices and procedures of the Highway Patrol are adequate to enable the command staff to find and correct any abuses of discretion in the disposition and processing of motor vehicle traffic tickets, and if not, to make recommendations for improvement,
  2. Whether the internal practices and procedures of the Patrol are adequate to enable individual officers and patrolmen to bring to the attention of superiors and command staff questions of propriety relating to the operations of the Patrol and make any recommendations with regard to any improvements in these practices, and
  3. To review the internal investigation presently being conducted by the Patrol and to determine that that investigation has been fully and adequately made.

The Special Investigative Officer is authorized and empowered to conduct his investigation independent of the Patrol, to interview any person, and to receive information from any source deemed advisable by him. All such interviews, information or reports given to the investigative officer shall in the discretion of the Investigator, be maintained as confidential to permit individuals to freely contact him.

II

The Missouri Department of Public Safety shall assign such officers and provide such assistance to the Special Investigative Officer as in his judgment may be necessary to fully determine the facts required to make those judgments specified in Part I of this Order. The Department of Public Safety shall pay the actual expenses of the Special Investigative Officer incurred in the course of his duties.

III

The Special Investigative Officer shall make a final report and such interim report as he deems advisable to the Governor, the Superintendent of the Highway Patrol and to the public; and shall indicate in these reports any recommendations which he may deem to be in the betterment of the public service.

IV

Records and information obtained by the Special Investigative Officer relating to personnel and law enforcement shall not be released to the Office of the Governor or to any state agency except when such release is advisable in the sole judgment of the Special Investigative Officer.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of of the State of Missouri. Done at the City of Jefferson this 22nd day of May, 1980.

[Joseph P. Teasdale's signature]
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[James C. Kirkpatrick's signature]
SECRETARY OF STATE

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