Seven peace officer licenses recalled amid SEMO academy investigation

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — The Missouri Department of Public Safety announced two investigations involving the Southeast Missouri State University Law Enforcement Training Academy’s administration of the Missouri Peace Officer License Exam on Dec. 9, 2025.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is conducting a criminal investigation at the request of the Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, DPS said Wednesday. Officials said no additional details can be released because the investigation is ongoing.

Separately, the department’s Peace Officer Standards and Training program launched a noncriminal investigation after receiving allegations of misconduct related to the administration of the exam.

As a result of that investigation, DPS recalled seven Missouri peace officer licenses issued to cadets who completed the exam and academy training.

Under Missouri regulations, the DPS director has the authority to recall a peace officer license issued “by fraud, misrepresentation, or mistake to a person not qualified to receive such license.”

Southeast Missouri State University said it has worked with a national law firm and the Missouri Department of Public Safety in what it described as a comprehensive investigation into allegations involving academic integrity at the academy.

DPS said Missouri law limits the information that can be publicly released regarding peace officer license applicants, officers and law enforcement training academies. The department also said it cannot release information tied to active investigations.

The department said it will continue taking action to protect the integrity of the law enforcement profession and public safety.