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Minnesota State Patrol

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Minnesota State Patrol
AbbreviationMSP
Agency overview
Formed1929; 95 years ago (1929)
Employees886 (as of 2017)[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionMinnesota, United States
Minnesota State Patrol Districts
Size87,014 square miles (225,370 km2)
Population5,197,621 (2007 est.)[2]
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersSt. Paul, Minnesota
Troopers591 (as of 2017)[3]
Civilians295 (as of 2017)[4]
Agency executive
  • Colonel Matthew C Langer[5]
Parent agencyMinnesota Department of Public Safety
Patrol Districts11
Facilities
Stations61
Website
Minnesota State Patrol

The Minnesota State Patrol is the statewide police force in the state of Minnesota. While the State Patrol concentrates primarily on traffic enforcement and highway safety it also has a statewide law enforcement role. Troopers are also involved with accident reconstruction and commercial vehicle enforcement. The State Patrol capitol security division also handles the security for the Minnesota State Capitol grounds and the governor. Additionally, the State Patrol maintains a K-9 unit that focuses on drug enforcement interdiction, as well as a Special Response Team (SRT), that operates like a traditional SWAT Team. The State Patrol is a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Colonel (commander) of the State Patrol reports directly to the Commissioner of Public Safety.[6]

History

File:Minnesota State Patrol car.jpg
An older version of the Minnesota State Patrol cruisers.
File:2013 Minnesota State Patrol Squad Car.jpg
A Current Minnesota State Patrol vehicle in front of the capitol building in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

[7]

The Minnesota Highway Patrol was created in 1929 when Charles M. Babcock, the Commissioner of Highways, appointed Earl Brown, Sheriff of Hennepin County, as Chief of the Highway Patrol. On July 1, 1929, Chief Brown appointed 8 officers.

The first training school was held January 18 to April 1, 1930. This school graduated the first 35 members of the Minnesota Highway Patrol. [8]

In 1973 the Highway Patrol was reorganized and the official name was changed to the "Minnesota State Patrol." [9]

A Minnesota State Patrol Trooper makes a traffic stop

The patch

The patch worn by members of the Minnesota State Patrol evolved from "The Great Seal" which is placed on all official state documents.

Organization

  • District 2000 - St. Paul (Headquarters)
  • District 2100 - Rochester
  • District 2200 - Mankato
  • District 2300 - Marshall
  • District 2400 - Oakdale
  • District 2500 - Golden Valley
  • District 2600 - St. Cloud
  • District 2700 - Duluth
  • District 2800 - Brainerd
  • District 2900 - Detroit Lakes
  • District 3100 - Virginia
  • District 3200 - Thief River Falls
  • District 4600 - Capitol Security / Executive Protection
  • District 4700 - Statewide scales and Commercial Vehicle Services.
  • Flight Section - Statewide flight service area.
  • Investigative Services - Statewide vehicle crimes and accident reconstruction.
  • Metro Communications - St. Paul / Minneapolis Metro Radio
  • Training Academy- Statewide training and recruitment.

Rank structure

Insignia Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Trooper

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Minnesota State Patrol, eight officers have died while on duty.[10]

Rank Name Date of Death Cause of Death Age Location
Trooper William S. Kozlak 04-25-1934 Killed in a motorcycle crash 32 On Minnesota Highway 52 near Osseo, Minnesota
Trooper Roy C. Lichtenheld 10-03-1934 Killed in a motorcycle crash 30 On Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota
Trooper Ray X.F. Krueger 11-20-1959 Killed in a head-on car crash 47 On Minnesota Highway 210 near Brainerd, Minnesota
Trooper Glen A. Skalman 12-27-1964 Succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on 12-17-1964 during a traffic stop 29 On I-35 near Forest Lake, Minnesota
Trooper Donald Bert Ziesmer 10-15-1973 Shot and killed while sitting in his patrol car on a traffic stop 46 On Minnesota Highway 61 along the north shore of Lake Superior
Trooper Roger Curtis Williams 02-22-1978 Struck and killed by an out-of-control vehicle while helping a motorist change a flat tire 53 On I-94 near Brandon, Minnesota
Corporal Timothy Joseph Bowe 06-07-1997 Shot and killed as he and 3 county deputies approached a house where a shooting was reported 36 10 miles east of Cambridge, Minnesota in Chisago County
Corporal Theodore Joseph "Ted" Foss 08-31-2000 Struck and killed by a tractor trailer while on a traffic stop 35 On I-90 in Rochester, Minnesota

See also

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ 2007 Population Estimates Archived 2008-09-18 at the Library of Congress Web Archives, U.S. Census Bureau
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ [3]
  5. ^ https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ooc/news-releases/Pages/Commissioner-Dohman-Appoints-Kelly-Director-of-Hokend-Security-and-Emergency-Management,-Langer-Chief-of-the-Minnesota-Stat.aspx
  6. ^ "About". Minnesota State Patrol. Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  7. ^ "2011-Present". MaroonCruisers.com. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  8. ^ The Minnesota State Patrol Trooper's Association site
  9. ^ [4]
  10. ^ The Officer Down Memorial Page
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