Karsten named state Public Safety director

Col. Sandra Karsten, at left, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, whose retirement from that agency was announced the previous week, was named the director of the Department of Public Safety during a morning news conference Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, in Gov. Mike Parson's Capitol office.
Col. Sandra Karsten, at left, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, whose retirement from that agency was announced the previous week, was named the director of the Department of Public Safety during a morning news conference Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, in Gov. Mike Parson's Capitol office.

Highway Patrol Superintendent Sandra Karsten is Gov. Mike Parson's choice to be Missouri's next Public Safety director.

"Throughout her career, and in her time leading the Highway Patrol, Col. Karsten has established herself as a leader with a distinctive level of integrity and respect, as well as an organization manager who values open lines of communication, and the necessary willingness to cooperate across all levels of public safety," Parson told reporters Monday in his Capitol office.

Karsten's appointment is effective Saturday but ultimately is subject to confirmation by the Senate next January.

She told Parson, reporters and representatives of the Public Safety Department's various agencies: "It is difficult to envision a position that I could aspire to, that would fulfill me as much as being a state trooper. But the director of Public Safety does just that. Gov. Parson has given me the opportunity to continue serving the public and to make the lives of Missourians better in even more ways."

Parson originally announced Karsten would be the interim Public Safety director, then decided he wanted her to be his appointee for the permanent job.

She told reporters that led to her decision to retire from the patrol.

"This has all been very fast, and I'm trying to get my mind around it - leaving an organization after 33 years is a bit emotional," she said. "As the DPS director, you have a broader reach."

She plans to start by meeting with the department's division directors "to see what their issues are and how I can help them along to improve public safety," she said.

She will succeed Charles "Drew" Juden, who was Sikeston's police chief when Greitens tabbed him to be Public Safety director.

Juden's last day as director is Friday. The governor's office announced his resignation last week, and Parson spokeswoman Kelli Jones said the governor wanted to go in another direction.

Karsten told a reporter she hasn't talked with Juden.

Parson told reporters his relationship with Karsten is "extremely strong."

"I think some of the things she brings to the table will be some strong points, when we start talking about outreach to other communities and dealing with the crime rate here in Missouri," the governor said.

He noted she already has a working relationship with many inside the Capitol, and he has "all the confidence in the world that she's going to be able to run that agency and take it to another level."

Karsten, 54, joined the Highway Patrol in 1985 and was the first woman to rise through all the ranks, from trooper to superintendent.

"Being a part of the patrol for so long has taught me the value of teamwork, the value of acting with integrity, the value of respecting everyone, the value of professionalism and the importance of having compassion for others," she said Monday.

Karsten noted her first in-depth exposure to the patrol was the American Legion's week-long Cadet Patrol Academy when she was 17.

"I learned the importance of public service, of being a part of something larger than yourself," she said.

Parson noted: "With much work to be done, I can't think of a better individual, more qualified to be in that Cabinet.

"As a military veteran and a former sheriff, law enforcement will always be near and dear to me, because I know how absolutely critical it is for the communication and team work between all levels of public safety agencies - and officials and community leaders - to work together to achieve the greatest outcomes."

Karsten is Parson's first selection to the Cabinet, which is comprised of the directors of the state's Office of Administration and the 15 state departments.

Five of those directors - for Conservation, Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, Mental Health, and Transportation - are hired by independent commissions whose members are appointed by the governor.

The other 11 are named by the governor at the start of a new term - and Parson noted his current Cabinet was chosen by former Gov. Eric Greitens.

"Over the last 90 days, I've had the opportunity to work with and get to know the Cabinet that I inherited during a trying time for the state," Parson said. "I have found them to be a group of high quality individuals, who are dedicated public servants, and I greatly appreciate the professionalism and the commitment they have shown me and the state of Missouri. Each and every one of them helped provide stability at an important time for our state - and, for that, I am grateful."

When Karsten retires from the patrol Sept. 1, she said, state law transfers the superintendent's job to the lieutenant colonel - currently Eric Olson - until the governor selects a new colonel.