Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site
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.
The first discussions about the need for a Missouri state park system began around the turn of the 19th century but it was not until 1917 that the legislature set aside money from the fish and game department to establish state parks. In 1923, Arrow Rock Tavern was acquired as a historic site and in 1924 Big Spring State Park was established as the first Missouri State Park. Big Spring State Park, along with two other Missouri state parks, was later made into the National Park Service's Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
By 1967, the Missouri state park system had 43 parks and historic sites. With the rising number of people visiting the parks daily and camping overnight, the need for law enforcement was becoming clear.
The Missouri State Park Rangers were created in 1967 to meet this need for law enforcement withintate parks and historic sites. The Park Rangers began with 10 commissioned officers, including four seasonal rangers, for the 1968 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 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 rangers worked from six to nine months annually. 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 transitioned 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 police 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 on the slide with "Missouri State Park Rangers".
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, following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, Missouri State Park Rangers were requested 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.
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