Colorado State Patrol

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The Colorado State Patrol (originally known as the Colorado State Highway Courtesy Patrol), is a division of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, and is the official state police agency of Colorado.

1 History
2 Goals and Mission of the CSP
- 2.1 Strategic Goals
- 2.2 Mission
3 Rank Structure
- 3.1 Commissioned Officers
- 3.2 Non-Commissioned Officers
4 Special Programs
5 Links

History

Founded in 1935 with only 44 men, it was one of only four law enforcement agencies serving in Colorado at the time. Since two-way radios weren't installed until 1949, officers usually received calls by visiting local gas stations. After dispatchers telephoned the station, the attendant would then place a red flag along the roadway, which would alert the officers to the call.

The patrol was met with opposition from the public when it was formed, as well as from other law enforcement agencies, who thought the patrol would endanger their jurisdiction. Therefore, Colorado legislature carefully outlined the duties of the agency in the Patrol Act, which states that "it shall be their duty to promote safety, protect human life and preserve the highways of Colorado by the intelligent, courteous, and strict enforcement of the laws and regulation of this state relating to highways." This became the motto of the Colorado State Patrol.

Goals and Mission of the CSP

Strategic Goals

To provide a safe and secure environment on Colorado's highways.
To secure necessary resources to provide expected customer service.
To provde an environment for employees which is conducive to high quality service.
To maintain a highly trained, motivated, competent, work force providing professional service.
To provide high quality law enforcement service through sharing of resources to maximize taxpayer dollars.

Mission

Enforce all the laws of the state of Colorado on approximately 8,483 miles of state highways and more than 57,000 miles of county roads.
Investigate and report traffic crashes occurring on public property.
Direct, control and regulate motor vehicle traffic on public roadways.
Inspect vehicles for safety-related equipment violations.
Inspect vehicles carrying livestock for brand inspection certificates.
Provide community education and administer safety programs to the public.
Regulate road closures for special events, inclement weather, or when necessary to prevent further injury or damage following an emergency.
Promulgate and enforce rules and regulations for commercial motor vehicles.
Operate a state-wide law enforcement telecommunications system.
Perform criminal interdiction on Colorado highways, focusing on the transport of illegal drugs.
Assist in state homeland security efforts.
Provide emergency assistance in the event of major disasters, civil protests, or when requested by local law enforcement.

Rank Structure

Commissioned Officers

Colonel (Chief of the Patrol)
Lieutenant Colonel (Region Commander)
Major (District/Branch Commander)
Captain (Troop/Section Commander)

Non-Commissioned Officers

Sergeant
Corporal & Technician
Master Trooper
Trooper

Special Programs

Alive at 25

A community program designed to impact the future of traffic safety, Alive at 25 focuses educational effort to youths between the ages of 14 and 25. Its emphasis is to identify and eliminate at-risk driving behavior.

Seat Belt Survivor Program

Since the CSP recognizes that seat belts are an important means of preventing injury or death in automobile accidents, this program exists to identify and recognize motorists who have survived a potentially fatal or serious-injury crash through the use of seat belts.

Salvation Army Motorist Assist Program

CSP encounters many stranded motorists along Colorado's highways. Due to this, the Patrol and the Salvation Army have teamed up to provide vouchers of up to $50.00 to needy motorists who find themselves without money or means of transportation. The vouchers can be used for meals, lodging, and other transportation related services.