Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office joins Kehoe’s ‘Operation Relentless Pursuit’
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- As part of Governor Mike Kehoe’s statewide anti-crime initiative, Operation Relentless Pursuit will focus on capturing dangerous fugitives through targeted policing tactics and joint efforts among law enforcement agencies.
According to Executive Order 25-02, the strategies employed in this enforcement initiative will include:
The designation of full-time Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) investigators to each of the nine troop regions, and allocate budget funds to support one new deputy sheriff per troop dedicated to task force operations, including targeted efforts against criminal activity.
Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett said the department has assigned one member from their special operations group to work with a local Missouri State trooper on a relentless pursuit.
"The only thing that we're involved with, and what everybody needs understand, is that this is about wanted fugitives," said Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett. "This is not about anyone undocumented or anything along those lines. This is about people who are wanted for part one crimes. Murder, rape, robbery and violent assault. This is an effort to make this community a better and safer place."
Puett said the commitment to bring justice to families has been a driving force for law enforcement in removing criminals from the streets — a key reason they quickly joined the initiative.
"There are so many victims out there, worried about where the person is who committed these violent acts against them," said Puett. "These victims need justice, protection, and comfort knowing that the person who harmed them is in custody. That’s always a key part of our motivation to go out and actively search for wanted fugitives."
Local agencies began initial training last month and are now focused on identifying and gathering information about fugitives in the area to ensure their apprehension.
