Mo. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 43
Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 43.025 (2026)

Primary purpose of highway patrol

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  43.025.  Primary purpose of highway patrol. — 1.  The primary purpose of the highway patrol is to enforce the traffic laws and promote safety upon the highways.  As near as practicable all personnel of the patrol shall be used for carrying out these purposes.

  2.  As near as practicable, all personnel of the patrol shall be utilized in carrying out the provisions of sections 43.350 to 43.380.

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(L. 1957 p. 619 § 43.130, A.L. 1969 H.B. 670, A.L. 1983 S.B. 294)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1980–2012 · leading case: Missouri v. Welch, 755 S.W.2d 624 (Mo. Ct. App. 1988).
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Missouri v. Welch, 755 S.W.2d 624 (Mo. Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 2× “Further authority for such action is found in § 43.025, RSMo 1986 in that the Missouri Highway Patrol is to enforce the traffic laws and promote safety upon our highways.”
Brandsville Fire Prot. Dist. v. Phillips, 374 S.W.3d 373 (Mo. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “Appellants reason that because directing traffic while a vehicle is removed from the scene of an accident is “within the primary purpose of the [highway [p]atrol [as defined in section 43.025, 7 ] any public agency that assists in directing traffic “act[s] as an extension of the…”
State v. Mueller, 598 S.W.2d 564 (Mo. Ct. App. 1980). “Mueller also argues, however, that Currier could not seize the marijuana incident to an arrest because Currier, as a highway patrol officer, is limited by Sections 43.025, et seq., RSMo 1978, to law enforcement duties on the public highways, or in special investigations as…”
State v. Estes, 743 S.W.2d 118 (Mo. Ct. App. 1988). “Gregory was in violation of §§ 43.025 and 43.380, RSMo 1986. Specifically, the appellant alleged that the investigation was initiated and requested by Police Detective Billingsley who was not entitled by law to request an investigation.”
Hollis v. Bailey, 524 F. Supp. 565 (E.D. Mo. 1981). “It is clear from the foregoing that defendant Bailey, acting as a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, had a statutory basis for stopping and searching the plaintiff’s vehicle.”
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