Oregon State Police
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Oregon State Police (OSP) is the main state law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of Oregon. They have been charged to enforce all of Oregon's criminal laws and to help local law enforcement agencies with their duties. They differ from other state agencies such as the Florida Highway Patrol in that their primary focus is not limited to highway and traffic enforcement.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Oregon State Police began operating on August 1, 1931. The organization was designed by a committee appointed by Governor Julius L. Meier, who made a survey of some of the most successful state law enforcement agencies across North America, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Texas Rangers, the Pennsylvania State Police, and others. They took on the responsibilities that were previously handled by the State Highway Commission, the Fish and Game Commission, the Secretary of State, the Prohibition Commissioner, and the State Fire Marshal. OSP's first Superintendent (head) was Charles Pray, State Parole Officer and a former Department of Justice Agent. Mr. Pray set up four OSP districts in the state and thirty-one patrol stations. He began his duties on June 7, 1931, about two months before the State Police began operating.
Harold Maison, formerly with the State Traffic Division, was appointed as Chief Clerk and was stationed at General Headquarters in Salem. He was charged with setting up and maintaining a system of reports and records for the OSP.
Captain George Alexander was placed in charge of the Bureau of Identification and Investigation and charged with the investigational activities of the Department. On January 1, 1932, he was appointed Deputy Superintendent, a served a position he held until his installment as Warden of the State Penitentiary in 1938.
Charles McClees, previously with the State Game Commission, was appointed as captain and placed in charge of game and commercial fish enforcement.
[edit] See also
[edit] Recent changes
In 1993, the Oregon Legislature approved legislation that included the previously autonomous organizations of the Oregon State Fire Marshal´s Office, Law Enforcement Data System, Oregon Emergency Management, and the Oregon Boxing and Wrestling Commission within the Department of State Police.
[edit] External links
| States | Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming |
|---|---|
| Federal District | District of Columbia |
| Insular areas | American Samoa • Guam • Northern Mariana Islands • Puerto Rico • U.S. Virgin Islands |
