Blunt To Merge Departments Of Public Safety And Homeland Security

Two high level public security departments will be merged once the new Blunt Administration takes over in Jefferson City. Since its creation following the September 11th, 2001, terrorist atacks, the Office of Homeland Security has worked with other state agencies – but has operated with a certain amount of autonomy. Governor-elect Matt Blunt says that will soon end. Blunt says it makes sense to combine the two departments so that the two can complement each other. Blunt says there will be a Director of Homeland Security, who will answer to the head of the Department of Public Safety. Details surrounding the eventual merger have yet to be worked out. Blunt says information will be announced as the process goes forward once he moves into the Governor’s office on January 10th.