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Bill would let DPS director deny peace-officer licensure for noncitizens or those with revoked/surrendered licenses
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Summary
House Bill 18-66, presented on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, would explicitly allow the director to deny a peace-officer license or basic-training entry when an applicant is not a U.S. citizen or previously had a peace-officer license revoked or voluntarily surrendered. Committee members pressed for definitions on "surrendered" and permanent-resident eligibility.
Representative Lane Roberts presented House Bill 18-66, which the Department of Public Safety requested, and said it gives the director statutory authority to deny an application for a peace officer license or entry into basic training when an applicant previously held a peace officer license that was revoked or voluntarily surrendered, or when the applicant is not a U.S. citizen. Roberts said two small changes would be proposed in executive session: add "certification" to acknowledge states that certify rather than license officers, and remove the word "permanently" from the revocation language to account for temporary revocations in other states.
Jalen Talbot, a Department of Public Safety witness, testified in support and told the committee that the bill "provides clear statutory authority for the director of public safety to deny a peace officer license application when an applicant is not a US citizen, or previously held a peace officer license that was revoked or voluntarily surrendered." Committee members asked whether a voluntary surrender might include routine retirement and whether permanent residents with military service should be eligible; Talbot said he would follow up with DPS to clarify those points.
Representatives pressed on the bill’s intent and reach. One member noted that several states allow permanent residents, or those with prior military service, to be licensed and asked whether Missouri should adopt a similar exception. Sponsors and staff emphasized that the bill gives the director discretion ("cause to deny") rather than creating a mandatory bar, and that DPS testimony would clarify how the department interprets surrender and revocation in disciplinary contexts.
Robert Schockey, retired police chief and executive director of the Missouri Police Chiefs Association, testified in support, saying the association believes the bill improves the quality control of law enforcement applicants. The committee did not take a vote on HB18-66 during the hearing; staff promised to provide follow-up clarifications about "surrendered" licenses, counts of prior cases, and whether states that allow licensing of permanent residents with military service would affect the bill's language.
The hearing record shows committee members concerned about unintended consequences for people who voluntarily give up a license for non-disciplinary reasons and about protecting career pathways for residents who are permanent residents or who have served in the U.S. military. DPS said it would return clarifying information to members’ offices.
