Wisconsin State Patrol
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The Wisconsin State Patrol is the state police force of Wisconsin.
[edit] History
The Wisconsin State Patrol was established September 1, 1939, when the Wisconsin legislature passed a statute creating the Motor Vehicle Department, which consisted of three divisions - the new enforcement division began with 46 inspectors to enforce the state motor vehicle code and the state motor carrier regulations.
State Patrol radio first went on the air February 1, 1943, operating station WIZR on a frequency of 31.50 MHz. It was able to communicate with the patrol's mobile units, as well as with most of the municipal and county law enforcement short-wave stations.
In 1955, the modern State Patrol was created with an increase in strength to 250 troopers. During the 1960s, the State Patrol became part of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and was designated a DOT division in 1977. In 2003, the Bureau of Transportation Safety was incorporated into the State Patrol.
[edit] Mission
The Wisconsin State Patrol's primary responsibility is traffic law enforcement, but State Troopers have full police authority and statewide jurisdiction. In addition, the State Patrol provides the following services statewide:
- Motor carrier safety Inspections
- Vehicle size and weight enforcement
- Inspections of school buses, ambulances, motor coaches, and salvage vehicles
- Evaluation and maintenance of breath-alcohol testing equipment, also training to local law enforcement agencies
- Traffic and emergency assistance to local law enforcement agencies
- Assistance to local law enforcement agencies during major events
- Accident scene reconstruction and crime scene mapping for investigations
- Law enforcement training at the State Patrol Academy at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin
- Traffic safety programs
The State Patrol maintains and manages the facilities of the statewide voice communications and Mobile Data Communications Network. This is provided as a free service for over 150 federal, state, and local agencies, including local police departments, sheriff’s departments, the Department of Natural Resources, and 2 tribal agencies.
[edit] External links
| State Police/Highway Patrol in the United States of America |
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