SB 920 - The act extends the ability of water patrol officers to enforce the law on all premises leased or owned or under control of the Missouri State Water Patrol (Section 306.165).

The act allows Water Patrol officers to arrest anyone violating the law in his or her presence throughout the state (Section 306.165).

The act allows Water Patrol officers to arrest a person if there is probable cause that the individual committed a crime originally under the Water Patrol's jurisdiction, even if the suspect is currently out of the Water Patrol's jurisdiction. If possible, the water patrol officer must notify the respective local law enforcement of the city or county of the arrest (Section 306.165).

The act changes the required training of water patrol officers from 600 hours to that required by the certification and training provisions of Chapter 590, RSMo (Section 306.165).

The act grants the State Water Patrol full authority, as given to other peace officers when working in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, to enforce vehicular traffic violations as long as such power is exercised only upon prior notification of the chief law enforcement officer of each jurisdiction (Section 306.167).

The act allows state Water Patrol officers to obtain a search warrant anywhere in the state if the crime that was originally committed was within the Water Patrol officer's jurisdiction. The sheriff of the county where the warrant is to be served must be notified of the application for a search warrant (Section 306.169).

The act expands the definition of "peace officer" in sections relating to searches and seizures to include members of the State Water Patrol (Section 542.261).
SUSAN HENDERSON