While the patrol's primary focus is maintaining the safety of State, Federal and Interstate highways, it also is charged with providing support for county agencies when tactical, aerial or other specialized services are needed.

The Kansas Highway Patrol has statewide jurisdiction, and frequently assists other agencies with emergency calls for service.

In 2011, the KHP purchased the last-produced Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor for its fleet.

[7] In 2014, amidst many allegations of abuse of power and inconsistent work practices resulting in overall low morale, the University of Kansas School of Business proctored a thorough survey of all KHP Employees that were willing to participate.

The results of the survey revealed that the majority held great loyalty to the agency, but believed upper-level command staff needlessly doled out disciplinary actions to those they personally disliked, showed favoritism during promotional processes, and were generally incompetent when it came to making important decisions regarding the overall direction of the patrol.

[11] Officers of the Kansas Highway Patrol begin their career as trooper trainees in the training academy at a base hourly rate.

[13] Contributions are made on a pre-tax basis each pay period, with 7.15% of gross earnings withdrawn automatically.

Although they are members of the Kansas Highway Patrol, they are considered “officers” not troopers, and wear slightly different uniforms.

In late 2018, the Patrol transitioned to 9mm with the Glock 17 Gen 5 carried in a Safariland 6360 Level 3 holster[citation needed].

The transition to 9mm was based upon Federal Bureau of Investigation testing which demonstrated a marked ballistic improvement upon earlier technology.

Patrol vehicles are retired before reaching 50,000 miles and are subsequently resold to other governmental agencies at a reduced price.