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Kansas Highway Patrol outlines statewide capabilities, flags radio encryption and interoperability costs
Summary
Colonel Eric Smith told the Committee on Government Efficiency that KHP’s specialized teams, aviation assets, hazardous-device sweeps and license‑plate readers have expanded statewide support to local law enforcement, but federal radio encryption mandates and equipment costs create interoperability barriers.
Colonel Eric Smith, superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, told the Committee on Government Efficiency that six of the Patrol’s seven bureaus are outward-facing and designed to support other law enforcement agencies and public safety missions across Kansas.
“There's only 1 bureau within the Highway Patrol that is responsible for, the Highway Patrol only, and that's the Business Operations Bureau,” Smith said, describing the Patrol’s structure and its role as a statewide resource. He listed the Patrol’s Critical Highway Accident Reconstruction Team (CHRT), hazardous-device unit, patrol-service-dog team, Special Response Team (SRT), air support, mobile field force and a VIN‑inspection delegation program among services provided to local agencies.
Smith gave usage examples and 2024 statistics: CHRT assisted 18 outside agencies on serious‑injury or fatal‑crash reconstructions; the hazardous‑device unit performed 893 preventative sweeps across 68 venues last year; SRT deployed 66 times in 2024; and air support produced roughly 660 callouts supporting search, rescue, manhunts and emergency medical deliveries, he said.
Why it matters: Smith emphasized that Patrol investments and statewide teams are intended for mutual aid and to fill capability gaps in jurisdictions with small local forces. “Nearly 60% of law enforcement agencies in the state of Kansas have 10 sworn officers or less,” he told the committee, stressing that many smaller agencies cannot fund advanced training or equipment on their own.
Barriers and policy issues: Smith said a recent federal mandate to encrypt certain radio traffic — intended to protect criminal-history and personally identifiable information — creates interoperability problems. “When we change a radio system, when we add encryption keys to our radio system, that leaves somebody else behind,” he said, noting purchase and key‑management costs for partner agencies. Smith urged maintaining funding pathways so smaller agencies can upgrade to remain interoperable.
Equipment and modernization: Smith highlighted recent capital investments and efficiencies: two patrol helicopters approved by the Legislature (now delivered), statewide deployment of body‑worn cameras funded by DOJ grants, new license‑plate‑reader rollouts, and trial of a grappler device intended to stop vehicles safely in pursuits. He also noted facility partnerships in Salina and Wichita for hangars and the training academy and said the Patrol shifted many positions to civilian leadership in business roles to improve efficiency.
Ending: Committee members asked about heavier-truck weight proposals; Smith cautioned that heavier trucks increase stopping energy and roadway wear. He closed by thanking the committee and encouraging continued legislative support for communications and aviation funding.
