Colorado State Patrol
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The Colorado State Patrol (originally known as the Colorado State Highway Courtesy Patrol), based in Lakewood, Colorado, is a division of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, and is one of the official state police agencies of Colorado, along with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The Colorado State Patrol primarily enforces traffic laws on state highways and guards the state capitol and the governor of Colorado.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Weapons
The patrol currently carries Smith & Wesson Model 4006 .40 S&W handguns. By summer of 2008 the patrol will have completed it's transition to the Smith & Wesson M&P .40 which retire the 4006 which has been in service for the last ten years. All Troopers are issued a shotgun and are giving the option to carry a department owned or personally owned rifle, either a M-14 or a AR-15. All Troopers are issued a ASP baton and OC. Currently one metro Denver troop is in the pilot phase for the TASER.
[edit] Goals and Mission of the CSP
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Rank Structure
[edit] Commissioned Officers
- Colonel (Chief of the Patrol)
- Lieutenant Colonel (Region Commander)
- Major (District/Branch Commander)
- Captain (Troop/Section Commander)
[edit] Non-Commissioned Officers
- Segeant Major (1)
- Master Sergeant (9)
- Sergeant
- Corporal and Technician
- Master Trooper
- Trooper
[edit] Special Programs
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Colorado
- State police
- State patrol
- Highway patrol
- State of Colorado
[edit] External links
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