Mid-Missouri patrol leader gets promoted to headquarters

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -

The head of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop F is getting a promotion.

The patrol announced Monday morning that Capt. Jason Crites would become a major in the department, and begin leading the Executive Services Bureau. That branch oversees services like records, budget, research and the governor's security.

Crites started his career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1998, where his first assignment was covering Howard and Cooper counties in Mid-Missouri's Troop F. Crites then went to his native southeast Missouri in 2001, where he worked until 2015. Crites moved back to Troop F territory before becoming the head of the patrol's research division in 2020.

Crites then transferred to lead Troop F in September 2022. The troop covers much of Mid-Missouri, including Columbia, Jefferson City and the Lake of the Ozarks.

Troop F spokesperson Sgt. Kyle Green told ABC 17 News that a new Troop F leader had been selected and will start Sept. 1. Green said a news release announcing that decision would come later this month.