The Dispatch discovered that the forms were being destroyed in possible violation of state public-records laws and the department's records-retention schedule.

The "disciplinary trail" forms contain information on employee misconduct, discipline recommendations and comments from top agency administrators and the public safety director.

The destruction of the records was uncovered Wednesday when officials could not provide a form reflecting the discipline recommended against a state trooper.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Thomas Hunter said the forms were considered "working notes" rather than public records. Human resources officials said the forms routinely have been discarded for nearly 20 years, he said.

"It was a long-standing practice prior to this administration," Hunter said.

Strickland's office ordered a halt to the destruction of the records and instructed that they be retained after fielding questions from The Dispatch.

"We know of no reason why this practice may have been followed," said Amanda Wurst, a spokeswoman for Strickland.

The newspaper was seeking the form showing the discipline recommended for Troy Johnson, who was demoted from lieutenant to trooper for violation of State Highway Patrol policies.

During the investigation of Johnson, some troopers and officers accused Assistant Public Safety Director George Maier of misconduct. He formerly was a captain in charge of the patrol's Jackson district.

Col. Richard Collins, patrol superintendent, wanted to summon the inspector general to investigate Maier, but Public Safety Director Henry Guzman declined. Guzman said the charges did not rise to a level requiring investigation. Maier denied wrongdoing.

The forms being destroyed were used by all the Department of Public Safety's divisions, including the patrol, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security.