JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Gov. Mike Parson has appointed the head of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to permanently take over as director of the Department of Public Safety.
Parson announced Patrol Col. Sandra Karsten’s appointment to the Cabinet position on Monday.
Karsten previously announced she was retiring from the patrol, and the governor had previously tapped her to become acting Public Safety director on Sept. 1.
She replaces Director Drew Juden, who his stepping down at the end of August.
Juden had been appointed by former Gov. Eric Greitens, who resigned June 1 while facing potential impeachment proceedings over allegations of sexual and political misconduct.
Parson said Karsten is “a leader with a distinctive level of integrity and respect” with whom he has a good relationship.
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