Mike Parson on Crime

	Mike Parson on Crime

Cleared clemency backlog; only pardoned the deserving

When I became Governor, we inherited nearly 4,000 pending clemency applications. While I'm a law and order Governor, 4,000 people in limbo waiting for an answer is not how we do good business. I'm proud to announce that the clemency backlog we inherited has been totally cleared. BUT as a former sheriff, this reform did not mean we were letting people out of prisons or forgiving violent criminals, we pardoned people who deserved it, people who had truly turned their lives around. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Missouri legislature , Jan 24, 2024

In Missouri, we DEFEND law enforcement, not defund them

Missourians respect law and order, but as a former Sheriff it alarms me to see some of the attitudes toward those who have taken an oath to defend our communities and keep us safe.

We must work to strengthen our communities by supporting our men and women in law enforcement. AND learn from the failed policies in other cities and states to never allow anti-law enforcement measures to take hold in this state. In Missouri, we DEFEND law enforcement, not defund them.

Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Missouri legislature , Jan 19, 2022

Require de-escalation and bias recognition police training

I challenged the POST Commission to take a leading role in advancing the training Missouri provides officers and help improve relationships with the public. The Commission followed through on this challenge, voting to require annual training in de-escalation and bias recognition for all Missouri law enforcement officers. We believe this training will lead to better interactions between law enforcement and the communities we serve. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature , Jan 27, 2021

Time to stand up and support law enforcement

Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?

Mike Parson: No. "Now is the time to `stand up and support' law enforcement." Officers need to have the "tools" to fight violent criminals.

Nicole Galloway: Yes. Supports ban on choke holds and no-knock warrants. "The disparities in our criminal justice system are real." Must make Missouri accountable to all citizens.

Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race , Nov 3, 2020

Expand "dangerous felonies" to include guns & less probation

Coverage of SB600 by The Missouri Times: SB 600 changes the definition of "dangerous felonies" to include armed criminal action, carjacking, and conspiracy. Additionally, it denies eligibility to offenders of felonies involving a deadly weapon.

[The bill's sponsor noted]: "Much of our crime is caused by a small group of repeat offenders who are on the streets because liberal prosecutors release them on probation--65% of dangerous felons put on probation have re-offended. SB 600 ends this catch-and-release practice."

The bill has seen opposition from a number of organizations, including the ACLU and AFP-MO, which urged the governor to veto the bill. The organizations cited that the "bill doesn't make Missourians safer and forces taxpayers to pay half a billion dollars for two new prisons.

Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 27-2-2 on Feb/20/20; Passed House 97-51-14 on May/15/20; Signed by Governor Mike Parson on Jul/6/20

Source: The Missouri Times on Missouri voting record SB600 , Jul 6, 2020

I am not interested in building more prisons

As many of you know, the Department of Corrections is faced with many challenges. AND, we will NOT shy away from these challenges. As a former sheriff and law enforcement officer for over 22 year I understand, firsthand, the importance of re-entry programs and alternative sentencing. We need to be more efficient in these programs so we truly offer a second chance AND as Governor, I am NOT interested in building more prisons. Source: 2020 Missouri State of the State address , Jan 15, 2020

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