The State Police was authorized
to establish a fifth Troop on July 1, 1919. The Troop
was designated Troop E and established
in Lancaster. Also in 1919, the State Police established motorcycle patrols to deal with the
growing number of motorists.
In February 1920, a State Police training school
was established in Newville, Cumberland County. Also that year, the Superintendent created the
Bureau of Criminal Identification and the Bureau of Fire Protection. In April, seventy
motorcycles were purchased; 14
were assigned to each of the Five Troops. Patrol zones were
established and owners of telephones along the patrol zones were given steel discs or flags to
indicate a telephone (flag stop). Motorcycle patrols, seeing a flag stop displayed, would
interrupt their patrol activity to telephone their Station for assignments. Troop Commanders
monthly conferences were established that June.
On August 25, 1922, the Superintendent issued a
Special Order bestowing upon the Deputy Superintendent the rank of Major. This was the initial
use of that rank in constabulary history.
The Newville Training School was closed on March
1, 1923. A temporary school was established at the Pennsylvania National Guard Military
Reservation at Mt. Gretna near Colebrook, Lebanon County. Accommodations consisted of tents
and military field equipment. The temporary school was closed in the summer of 1923.
The State Highway Patrol was created in 1923
within the Department of Highways to enforce the vehicle laws of Pennsylvania's burgeoning
highway system. The same year saw the State Police install the nation's first state wide
police radio telegraph system. The system remained operational until 1947. A State Police
Training School was established in Hershey, Dauphin County, on Cocoa Avenue, in 1924. That
training school would remain at that site until 1960. The State Highway Patrol secured the use
of the Hershey Inn in Hershey, to train Highway Patrol recruits.
Also in 1924, Troop F Lancaster, was moved to
Harrisburg and Troop C, Pottsville, relocated to Reading. That same year saw the First drivers
license examination for Pennsylvania motorists.
In 1926, the State Highway Patrol Training School
was moved from the Hershey Inn to 19th and Swatara Streets, Harrisburg. The Highway Patrol at
that time consisted of forty six SubStations.
In 1927, the Superintendent established the first
two State Highway Patrol Troops.
They were Troop A, Harrisburg, and Troop B, Greensburg. that
year also saw the First State Highway Patrolman killed in the line of duty.
The State Police, in 1927, issued a regulation
that prohibited any member from marrying without the Superintendent's approval. That same year
saw the State Police establish a public radio station in Harrisburg, WBAK. In 1929, the
Superintendent issued a General Order requiring all members of the department to memorize the
State Police Call of Honor.
On June 1, 1928, the State Highway Patrol
established Troop C, Bellefonte and on September 1, 1929, Troop D, Williamsport was
established. The year 1930 saw the Superintendent establish a Headquarters Detective Division.
In 1931, Governor Gifford Pinchot formally dedicated a new Highway Patrol Building at 21st and
Herr Streets in Harrisburg. It became Troop A. with a supply unit and training school for the
State Highway Patrol. In 1932, the State Highway Patrol established Troop 'F,' Philadelphia.
The State Police, in 1932, established a
Photographic Section and a small Crime Laboratory Division. That year the first polygraph was
purchased and a Criminal Intelligence Section was formed.
In 1933, the Highway Patrol celebrated its 10th
anniversary with a formal inspection at Longwood Gardens, near Kennett Square, Chester
County. Original members were presented with a uniform star insignia representing 10 years of
service. The practice of issuing service insignias continues today.
In 1935, Troop F, Franklin, became the sixth and
last Troop to be established by the Highway Patrol before the merger with the State Police on
June 29, 1937. The new department was called the Pennsylvania Motor Police. In addition, the
new department administrator would be known as the Commissioner. The new Commissioner
appointed himself a Colonel and his Deputy Commissioner as a Lieutenant Colonel. This
represented the first time these ranks were used.
The Commissioner divided the department into four
districts with district headquarters established in Greensburg, Harrisburg, Wyoming, and
Philadelphia on July 21, 1937. There were 11 troops within the district structure. They were:
- District I District II
• Troop A, Greensburg Troop E, Harrisburg
• Troop D, Butler Troop G. Hollidaysburg
• Troop F, Franklin Troop 1, Bellefonte
• Troop H, Greensburg
- District III District IV
• Troop B, Wyoming Troop L, Philadelphia
• Troop K, Fingston Troop C, Reading
That year saw the rank of Private Second Class
(P2C) and Private First Class (PFC) established.
On January 1, 1938, the Commissioner established a medical Unit and the first Medical Officer
was appointed to the rank of Major. Additionally, the Commissioner established
a
Communications Division.
In February 1938, the Commissioner ordered 267
passenger cars painted white with
black hoods and Pennsylvania Motor Police lettering on the
door. These cars became known as Ghost Cars.
The Department was reorganized on August 11, 1938:
First Squadron
• Troop A, Greensburg
• Troop B, Washington
• Troop C, Punxsutawney
• Troop D, Butler
• Troop E, Erie
Second Squadron
• Troop A, Harrisburg
• Troop B, Chambersburg
• Troop C, Hollidaysburg
• Troop D, Williamsport
• Troop E, Harrisburg
In June 1939, legislation passed that added to the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Motor
Police the return of escaped convicts and parole violators. Other laws added the
responsibility to the Motor Police for annual school bus inspection and inspection station
supervision.
January 1940, saw yet another reorganization within the Department:
First Squadron
Troop A, Greensburg
Troop B, Washington
Troop C, Punxsutawney
Troop D, Butler
Troop E, Erie
Second Squadron
• Troop A, Harrisburg
• Troop B, Chambersburg
• Troop C, Hollidaysburg
• Troop D, Williamsport
During that same year, 150 men underwent training at Indiantown Gap
Military Reservation because the Hershey Training School was inadequate for that number of
recruits.
On October 1, 1940, Troop B, Chambersburg, was dissolved and re-established as a special
patrol unit in Bedford. It was given the responsibility of patrolling the newly established
Pennsylvania Turnpike System. The former Troop's duties were divided between Troop A,
Greensburg; Troop A. Harrisburg; and Troop C, Hollidaysburg.
PSP 1942...
The Commissioner created the Executive Service Section on
February 5, 1942.
Act 52 of April 28, 1943, changed the name of the organization from the Pennsylvania Motor
Police to the Pennsylvania State Police. The department also became responsible for enforcing
the Uniform Firearms Act that year.
State Police were assigned to assist the Pennsylvania Aeronautics Commission in the
investigation of aircraft accidents and aircraft violations in 1945. This function continued
until 1972.
The year 1946 saw the First state wide radio telephone system installed and the elimination of
'flag stops.'
In 1947, new laws authorized the State Police to assist the Department of Revenue in
collecting the state's cigarette tax and enforcing the Fuel Use Tax. The Department of Revenue
provided the State Police with cruiser type motor launches to patrol the Schuylkill and
Delaware Rivers and Lake Erie. Four men were assigned to each detail. A 1949 law authorized
the State Police to inspect dry cleaning and dying plants.
The State Police dissolved the terms 'Private Second Class' and 'Private First Class' in favor
of 'Private' in 1953. That rank continued until 1956 when the term was replaced
by 'Trooper.'
During the mid 1950's, the Retired State Police Association was formed.
On July 10, 1957, Act 360 provided for a mandatory retirement at 60 years of age, exclusive of
the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.
Chrome badges were replaced by gold badges in a leather case in 1959. Washable
summer shirts
were issued. Straw campaign hats were introduced for summer wear.
New officers' caps with gold
braid and the 'scrambled eggs' were issued. New black
and gold patches were also issued.
A new State Police Academy in Hershey opened on March 2. 1960. The Academy was officially
dedicated on June 13, 1960. That same year saw the first combined Troop Commanders and
District Commanders Conference.
On September 1, 1961, the State Police officially began radar speed checks, utilizing -
I 32
sets. That same year, the two-year enlistment discharge paper and re-enlistment process was
discontinued.
On October 1, 1963, married men were permitted to apply for the State Police. That
same year
also saw the Commissioner establish a Youth Aid Division.
All Troops dropped the district designation and were alphabetically designated on
January 1,
1965:
• Troop A. Greensburg Troop J, Lancaster
• Troop B, Washington Troop K Philadelphia
• Troop C, Punxsutawney Troop L, Reading
• Troop D, Butler Troop M, Bethlehem
• Troop E, Erie Troop N, Hazleton
• Troop F, Montoursville Troop P, Wyoming
• Troop G, Hollidaysburg Troop R, Dunmore
• Troop H, Harrisburg Troop T, Highspire
• The radio teletype system was computerized on June 1, 1965.
On October 5, 1967, a new law (Act 140) eliminated the two-year enlistment process
and provided for one
enlistment until discharged or retired. That same year saw the establishment of an 18month
probationary period for Cadets and Troopers.
Six Area Commands were created in January of 1968. Also that year saw short sleeve shirts
being issued for the first time. New small chevrons were issued for non-
commissioned officers.
In November 1968, the State Police Aviation Division was established.
A new Troop, designated 'S', was activated on September 1, 1970. It was given the
responsibility of patrolling the Pennsylvania's Interstate Systems. Early the following
year,
Area Command VI was established and given command over Troops 'S' and 'T'.
On October 1, 1971, the first female applicant was accepted as a cadet in the Pennsylvania
State Police. The Academy class, containing the first female Troopers, graduated on July 7,
1972.
The State Police received responsibility for administering the state wide Uniform Crime Report
on July 1, 1973. The following year the State Police received a new radio communications
system. In compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1969, a Consent
Decree was entered into by the Department in 1974 with regard to hiring practices and
promotional procedures. That same year saw the State Police Rodeo discontinued. The Rodeo had
been a public relations aspect of the Department since 1934. In December
of 1974, a new state
wide radio system was formally dedicated.
A new State Police Department Headquarters building was dedicated on September 12, 1978.
Department Headquarters no longer had to share its facilities with other state agencies.
Operation S.P.A.R.E. (State Police Aerial Reconnaissance and Enforcement) was
initiated on
October 20, 1978, as Troopers clocked motorists with a stopwatch from
a State Police
helicopter.
Two UH1B helicopters (Hueys), acquired through the Federal Military Surplus Property System
from the Pennsylvania National Guard, were put into service in March 1979.
Based at Harrisburg
and Latrobe, the helicopters were to be used for disaster rescues
and emergency medical
transportation. Impetus for acquisition of the units was provided, in large part, by the loss
of life in the 1977 Johnstown Flood.
The Department marked its 75th Anniversary with a sellout celebration at the Hershey
Convention Center with more than 1,000 persons in attendance. A memorial, honoring those
persons killed in the line of duty, was dedicated at the Academy. The monument was paid for by
contributions.
In June 1980, department members were issued a new sidearm, the .357 magnum Ruger, a stainless
steel, four inch barrel revolver. It was the first major change in State Police issued
weaponry in its 75 year history.
In October 1980, the State Police expanded the aviation Division with the addition of a
federally funded Cessna 182 Skylane to assist in the State Police Aerial Reconnaissance
Enforcement (S.P.A.R.E.) Program.
On October 16, 1981, the Records and Identification Division completed the first phase
of
computerizing the Master Name Index of the criminal history file, thus providing a
more
efficient response to criminal history record inquiries.
The Department's Laboratory Division expanded in October 1982 with the addition of a new lab
in Lima, Delaware County.
The Pennsylvania State Police developed 'Pennsylvania Crime Watch' in an effort to reduce and
solve crime in December 1982. In July 1984, Pennsylvania was recognized
by the National Crime
Prevention Coalition as having the best state crime prevention program in the nation.
The Office of Professional Responsibility was created in 1985 to enforce the high standards of
conduct among all State Police officers and employees.
In April 1986, the Department announced a program aimed at the interdiction of drug
trafficking along the Commonwealth's highways codenamed, "Operation Whiteline.' The
program was designed to train patrol personnel in the recognition of drug traffickers and
their methods of operation.
Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers was created in the Bureau of Community Services in 1986. Crime
Stoppers utilizes the news media and citizens to locate criminals who are sought
by police.
Rewards are offered for information that helps police locate the criminals.
Citing the need for the State Police to employ expertly trained officers versed in the
most
modern concepts available to manage potentially lethal incidents, the State Police announced
the formation of a Special Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.). The team has members who are
trained in tactical and negotiation responses. The first S.E.R.T. Team was organized in
Eastern Pennsylvania in December, 1986. A second S.E.R.T.
Team was organized for Western
Pennsylvania in June, 1992.
The First group of Peer Contacts, part of the newly formed Member Assistance Program,
completed their training in Hershey in September 1986. The training is designed to develop and
refine the listening and helping skills of the peer contacts.
A new radio communication system was installed throughout
the state replacing the department's four channel mobile radios with a system that has 32
separate channels.
For the first time, patrol cars have the ability to communicate with local
police jurisdictions as 11 channels were allocated to local and municipal police
organizations.
The enforcement of Pennsylvania's liquor laws was
transferred to the Pennsylvania State Police in July 1987. A Bureau of Liquor Control
Enforcement was established as the department welcomed 144 enforcement officers, 81 clerical
personnel and 2 attorneys who transferred from the liquor Control Board.
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