BIO: Sandra K. Karsten was named Director of the Department of Public Safety by Gov. Mike Parson on Aug. 27, 2018 and assumed the post effective Sept 1, 2018. She awaits Missouri Senate confirmation.

Gov. Parson had named Karsten DPS Acting Director on Aug. 17. At the time of her appointment, Karsten was superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Karsten was appointed to the Patrol on September 1, 1985, as a member of the 57th Recruit Class. During her 33-year career with the Patrol, Karsten has worked as a road trooper in Callaway and Audrain counties. She obtained the rank of corporal and sergeant and was assigned assistant zone commander and designated zone commander, respectively, in Troop F.

Karsten was appointed to the Patrol on September 1, 1985, as a member of the 57th Recruit Class. During her 33-year career with the Patrol, Karsten worked as a road trooper in Callaway and Audrain counties. She obtained the rank of corporal and sergeant and was assigned assistant zone commander and designated zone commander, respectively, in Troop F.

In 1996, Karsten transferred to Patrol General Headquarters in Jefferson City. She was assigned to the Field Operations Bureau where she was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and later to the rank of captain. In 2001, Karsten transferred to the Human Resources Division as the director of that division. In 2011, she was promoted to the rank of major and designated commander of the Administrative Services Bureau; then later transferred as the commander of the Technical Services Bureau. In 2012, she was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel where she served as a member of the Patrol’s command staff. As assistant superintendent, Karsten acted in the superintendent’s absence and had direct oversight responsibility for the Professional Standards Division and Public Information and Education Division.

Karsten was appointed to become the 23rd superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol on February 1, 2017 and confirmed by the Missouri Senate on March 9, 2017. As a result of her confirmation, she was elevated to the rank of colonel. Karsten was the first female to hold the position of superintendent in Patrol history.

Karsten graduated from Putnam County High School in Unionville, Missouri. She earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Truman State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri. Karsten is also a graduate of the Northwestern University Traffic Institute’s School of Police Staff and Command. Karsten and her husband, Tim, have two sons.

COMPANY: Department of Public Safety
LOCATION: Jefferson City