Senate committee bill would keep State Water Patrol administration in the family

Intro: The State Water Patrol looks to keep its commissioner a permanent part of its family. With more from Jefferson City, here is Blair Miller. RunTime:0:38
OutCue: SOC

A bill that would require the State Water Patrol's Commissioner to have served for at least five years as part of the Patrol passed through a state Senate committee.

Current law allows the governor to appoint people from outside the department.

Major Tommy Roam of the State Water Patrol says that current law could put the department in jeopardy.

Actuality: ROAM2.WAV

Run Time: 00:07

Description: It can be dangerous to have someone that has no experience in law enforcement to come in and be the head of an agency.

Current commissioner Rad Talburt was the first member of the patrol to be appointed commissioner in 24 years when he took over in 2005.

From Jefferson City, I'm Blair Miller, KMOX News.

Intro: The Missouri State Water Patrol looks to keep its commissioner a part of its family. With more from the capitol, here is Blair Miller.

RunTime:0:39
OutCue: SOC

A bill that would require the State Water Patrol commissioner to have served at least five years in the agency passed through the Governmental Affairs Senate committee.

Current Patrol commissioner Colonel Rad Talburt became the first commissioner in 24 years who had served in the Water Patrol before his appointment in 2005.

Patrol Major Tommy Roam says having a commissioner who has never been involved in Water Patrol could be dangerous.

Actuality: ROAM1.WAV

Run Time: 00:06

Description: It's always important to have someone who knows what the agency does.

Commissioner Talburt served 25 years in the patrol prior to his appointment.

From Jefferson City, I'm Blair Miller, KMOX News.

Intro: The State Water Patrol looks to keep their own patrolling the agency's waters. With more from Jefferson City, here is Blair Miller. RunTime:0:39
OutCue: SOC

A bill that would require the commissioner for the State Water Patrol to have previously served in the agency passed through a Senate committee.

Current commissioner Colonel Rad Talburt, who was appointed in 2005, is only the second commissioner ever to come from within the agency.

Patrol Major Tommy Roam says appointing the position from outside the agency could be harmful:

Actuality: ROAM3.WAV

Run Time: 00:09

Description: If that person has never been in law enforcement and doesn't have any experience in that, it sometimes is not as beneficial as it could be.

Colonel Talburt served in the Water Patrol for 25 years before his appointment.

From Jefferson City, I'm Blair Miller, KMOX News.