House Committee to meet on Highway Patrol improvements to water division

A public hearing has been scheduled for the interim House Committee on the 2011 Highway Patrol-Water Patrol merger.

The committee will get an update on the Highway Patrol’s improvements to the water patrol division since 2014.

ABC 17 News has reported extensively on the Highway Patrol’s handling of the drowning of Brandon Ellingson at the Lake of the Ozarks in 2014. Ellingson was in Highway Patrol custody when he died.

Highway Patrol Corporal Randy Henry took a stand against the department’s handling of the case and claims he was demoted for that reason.

Officials plan to take public testimony and hear how the patrol has considered the committee’s recommendations outlined in a December 2014 report.

The committee wants The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4 at 1:00 p.m. at Osage Beach City Hall.