Connecticut State Police

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Connecticut State Police patch
Connecticut State Police patch

The Connecticut State Police (CSP) is a division of the Connecticut Department of Public Safety responsible for traffic regulation and law enforcement across the state of Connecticut, especially in areas underserved by local police departments. The CSP currently has approximately 1,248 troopers, and is headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut.

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[edit] History

The Connecticut State Police was formed in 1903, making it the oldest state police agency in the United States. It was originally comprised of five officers primarily responsible for interdicting the production of moonshine. Early officers traveled the state by railroad until automobile and motorcycle patrols were instituted, and troopers would often spend five to six days working, eating, and sleeping in the barracks constructed around the state. By 1924, seven such barracks had been built. The organization was heavily militaristic, and its internal culture was similar in this regard to other state police agencies in New England.

The 1940s was perhaps the greatest period of development of the State Police, which under Commissioner Edward J. Hickey saw the formalization of identified patrol cars, the founding of a forensics lab and a training academy, the introduction of state police women (the first female troopers, full counterparts to the males in the agency, were not included until the late 1970s) the development of the nation's first radar system, the establishment of a state police FM communications system, and the creation of the CSP Auxiliary Trooper program. During this period the state police expanded its patrol districts to eleven barracks.

In the 1960s, the barracks-focused structure of the department was reformed, leading to the modern shift schedule and allowing troopers to reside at home.

The Connecticut State Police are the primary law enforcement agency for approximately 1/2 of the State's 169 Towns. Connecticut does not have a sheriff system as in many other states.

Approximately 40 of these communities are patrolled solely by normal State Police patrols. The other communities have engaged in a cost-sharing contract agreement with the CSP known as a "Resident Trooper" which provides a Trooper assigned to the community on a full-time basis. The title dates to a time when the Resident Trooper was an actual resident of the town, and had an office and official telephone located at his personal residence. Resident Troopers have for many decades not been required to be residents of the community they are assigned to, and offices have been moved to space provided by the host community. Costs, which include salary, equipment, and cruiser, are split between the town (70%) and state (30%). In Towns that have a Resident Trooper program, the State Police will supervise and dispatch local Constables with police powers (if any). Some towns with large Resident Trooper & Constable programs will include State Police Sergeants in the Resident Trooper program to provide an appropriate level of supervision to full-time constable forces.

[edit] Present-day CSP

Currently, the CSP operates out of twelve barracks known as "troops", including a troop at Bradley International Airport. Depending on their location, some troops are more responsible for interstate traffic patrol, while others are primarily used for law enforcement in rural districts.

Whichever duty assigned, a common motto found within the CSP is "A Trooper Rides Alone" -- signifying that due to the department's small size and wide geographic reach, each individual trooper must rely on his or her own individual skills in dealing with whatever situation arises. This motto infuses the department with a common culture of self-reliance and innovation.

[edit] CSP Vehicles

The CSP fleet includes the standard patrol vehicles (Ford Crown Victorias), SUVs, motorcycles, Cessna airplanes, and helicopter. The CSP has had a long history of using unmarked patrol cars on the state's highways, only identifiable as police vehicles by the red and blue light bars on the top. Some of the older unmarked vehicles have a "State Trooper" placard on the rear. The few marked cars the CSP has in its fleet are white with the CSP shield and the words "Connecticut State Police" on the doors underscored by a blue and yellow line that runs down the side of the car. The motorcycles are white with the words "State Police" in blue and yellow on the windshield. The CSP helicopter is blue with the CSP shield and the words "Connecticut State Police" on the side.

[edit] Special units

Like other state police agencies, the Connecticut State Police has several sub-divisions specializing in addressing particular crimes or security needs. The Emergency Services Unit consists of the K-9 section, Dive Team, Bomb Squad, Aviation Unit, Tactical Operations Team, and Hazardous Materials Response Unit. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation consists of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force, The Connecticut Regional Auto Theft Task Force, The Casino Licensing and Investigations Unit, the Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force, the Central Criminal Intelligence unit, and the Statewide Fugitive Apprehension Unit. There are also three Major Crime Squads dedicated to Homicide, Kidnapping, Robbery and other serious crimes against persons cases.

The Connecticut Capitol Police Unit was separated from the State Police in 1997

[edit] Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Connecticut State Police, 20 officers have died in the line of duty. [1]

Officer Date of Death Details
Trooper Pearle E. Roberts
Saturday, November 25, 1922
Motorcycle accident
Trooper Bartholomew M. Skelly
Saturday, November 14, 1925
Motorcycle accident
Trooper Irving H. Nelson
Friday, April 6, 1928
Gunfire
Trooper Lloyd J. Eukers
Saturday, July 21, 1928
Motorcycle accident
Trooper Stanley C. Hellberg
Saturday, June 1, 1929
Motorcycle accident
Trooper Leonard H. Watson
Saturday, October 22, 1932
Motorcycle accident
Sergeant Charles F. Hill
Thursday, November 6, 1941
Vehicular assault
Trooper Edward P. Jesmonth
Tuesday, July 20, 1943
Automobile accident
Lieutenant Kenneth W. Stevens
Tuesday, June 6, 1944
Heart attack
Lieutenant Frank A. Starkel
Monday, July 19, 1948
Accidental
Trooper Ernest J. Morse
Friday, February 13, 1953
Gunfire
Trooper James W. Lambert
Saturday, October 29, 1960
Struck by vehicle
Trooper Joseph M. Stoba Jr.
Monday, August 6, 1962
Gunfire
Trooper Carl P. Moller
Friday, February 13, 1976
Vehicular assault
Lieutenant Thomas F. Carney
Monday, December 6, 1982
Struck by vehicle
Trooper James H. Savage
Wednesday, January 22, 1986
Struck by vehicle
Trooper Jorge A. Agosto
Wednesday, November 22, 1989
Struck by vehicle
Trooper Russell A. Bagshaw
Wednesday, June 5, 1991
Gunfire
Auxiliary Trooper Edward W. Truelove
Friday, November 13, 1992
Automobile accident
Auxiliary Trooper Phillip A. Mingione
Wednesday, May 25, 1994
Struck by vehicle

[edit] See also

[edit] External links