Minnesota State Patrol

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Minnesota State Patrol
Established	1929
Strength	Authorized 535
Jurisdiction	Minnesota
Specialty Units	Strategic Response Team K-9 Unit
Chief	Mark Dunaski

A Minnesota State Patrol Trooper makes a traffic stop

The Minnesota State Patrol is the statewide police force in the state of Minnesota. The State Patrol concentrates primarily on traffic enforcement and highway safety. Troopers are also involved with accident reconstruction and commercial vehicle enforcement. The State Patrol also handles the security for the Minnesota State Capitol grounds and the governor. Additionally, the State Patrol maintains a K-9 unit that focuses on drug enforcement interdiction, as well as a Special Response Team (SRT), that operates like a traditional SWAT Team.

[edit] History

The Minnesota State Patrol was created in 1929 when Charles M. Babcock, the Commissioner of Highways, appointed Earl Brown, Sheriff of Hennepin County, as Chief of the Highway Patrol. On July 1, 1929, Chief Brown appointed 8 officers.

The first training school was held January 18 to April 1, 1930. This school graduated the first 35 members of the Minnesota Highway Patrol. ^[1]

[edit] The patch

The patch worn by members of the Minnesota State Patrol evolved from "The Great Seal" which is placed on all official state documents. The design is similar to the territorial seal which was used from 1849 until the adoption of the State Seal in 1858. It depicts a man in the foreground plowing, while a Native American is riding into the sunset in the background. The picture on the seal is a scene near St. Anthony Falls, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Motto "l’Etoile Du Nord" was selected by the first governor, Henry H. Sibley, which translated is "The North Star", thereby making Minnesota, "The North Star State". ^[2]

[edit] Fallen Officers

Since the establishment of the Minnesota State Patrol, 8 officers have died in the line of duty. ^[3]

[edit] See also

Minnesota Portal

• List of law enforcement agencies in Minnesota

[edit] References

1. ^ The Minnesota State Patrol Trooper's Association site http://www.mspta.com/History.htm
2. ^ The Minnesota State Patrol site https://www.dps.state.mn.us/patrol/general/patchreqform.htm
3. ^ The Officer Down Memorial Page http://www.odmp.org/agency/2520-minnesota-state-patrol-minnesota

[edit] External links

• Minnesota State Patrol
• Minnesota State Patrol Trooper's Association

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