Karsten on Friday announced she will retire from the Highway Patrol Sept. 1. She will take over as acting public safety director when current Director Drew Juden steps down at the end of August.

The governor’s office had previously said Karsten would continue as superintendent of the Highway Patrol while leading the department.

Gov. Mike Parson did not comment when asked about Juden’s departure at a recent press conference. His spokeswoman has said the governor was looking for a different approach in terms of leading the agency but declined to elaborate.

Parson’s predecessor, former Gov. Eric Greitens, appointed Juden. But Greitens resigned June 1 after months of controversy.