Idaho State Police

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Idaho State Police
Patch of Idaho State Police
Patch of Idaho State Police
AbbreviationISP
Agency overview
FormedFebruary 20, 1939; 82 years ago (1939-02-20)[1]
Preceding agency
  • Bureau of Constabulary
    May 18, 1919; 102 years ago (1919-05-18)
    dissolved in 1923
Employees540 (as of 2017) [2]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionIdaho, USA
ID - Idaho State Police Regions.png
Idaho State Police Districts
Size83,642 square miles (216,630 km2)
Population1,716,943 (2017 est.)[3]
General nature
  • Civilian police
Operational structure
HeadquartersMeridian, Idaho
Troopers290 Troopers (as of 2017) [2]
Civilian Employees250 Civilian Employees (as of 2017) [2]
Agency executive
  • Colonel Kedrick Wills, Director
Facilities
Districts6
Website
isp.idaho.gov

The Idaho State Police (ISP) is the statewide law enforcement agency for the State of Idaho. It began as the Bureau of Constabulary, created on May 18, 1919,[1] under the new Department of Law Enforcement, to detect and investigate crime, "order abatement of public nuisances and to enforce such orders by appropriate court action, to suppress riots, prevent wrongs to children and animals that are inhibited by law." The state constabulary was also charged with the organization of various state, county and municipal peace officers.[4] The bureau was dissolved by the state legislature in 1923.[1]

The Idaho State Police was formed in 1939, when Governor C. A. Bottolfsen signed the bill on February 20.[1][5]

Divisions[]

The Idaho State Police is divided geographically into 6 districts. Its central headquarters and training facility is located in Meridian, Idaho. District offices (1-3) are located in Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, and Meridian. District offices (4-6) are located in Jerome, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls.[6] Each district has a different captain and command staff, are managed separately and are overseen by a major. Each district has two divisions; patrol and investigations.

Patrol[]

The patrol division consists of uniformed state troopers who enforce the laws of Idaho. Commonly, a trooper will spend their time enforcing motor vehicle laws while on duty.

Investigation[]

The investigation division consists of plainclothes detectives who enforce the laws of Idaho. The Idaho State Police detectives investigate major crimes such as homicide and large scale drug-related offenses.

Other divisions[]

  • The Alcohol Beverage Control division ensures all establishments which sell or produce alcohol are properly licensed and conform to the law.
  • Commercial Vehicle Specialists are specially trained uniformed officers who enforce federal and state laws pertaining to the safety of commercial trucking.
  • The Cyber Crimes Unit specializes in crimes involving computers and the internet.
  • The Bureau of Criminal Identification maintains the states fingerprint database.
  • Forensic Services investigates controlled substances, crime scenes, firearms, forensic biology, impression evidence, toxicology, and trace evidence.
  • Racing Commission provides oversight for horse racing activities within Idaho.
  • Brands Board conducts livestock brand inspection, required for ownership changes, leaving Idaho and slaughter.
An Idaho State Police patrol car in the Snake River Valley near Hagerman, Idaho, 2017

Other duties[]

The Idaho State Police has two regional communications centers staffed with dispatchers who provide support to officers in the field.[7]

The Idaho State Police is tasked with the physical protection of the governor of the state as well as other dignitaries who may need protection.[8]

Rank structure[]

Title Insignia
Colonel
US-O6 insignia.svg
Lieutenant Colonel
US-O5 insignia.svg
Major
US-O4 insignia.svg
Captain
US-O3 insignia.svg
Lieutenant
US-O2 insignia.svg
Sergeant
South Carolina Highway Patrol Sergeant Rank Chevrons.svg
Trooper

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Idaho State Police makes wishes on 50th birthday". Idahonian. Moscow. Associated Press. February 21, 1989. p. 5A.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c USDOJ Statistics Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "US Census; Retrieved 2018-04-19". 2017 Population Estimates
  4. ^ State Trooper: America’s State Troopers and Highway Patrolmen. Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing Company/National Troopers Coalition. 2001. ISBN 1-56311-613-8.
  5. ^ "Governor signs measure creating police force". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. February 21, 1939. p. 1.
  6. ^ "Idaho State Police Web Page". Archived from the original on 2007-08-19. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  7. ^ "Idaho State Police Web Page". Archived from the original on 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  8. ^ "Idaho State Police Web Page". Archived from the original on 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2007-12-07.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""