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.
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]
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]
Organization[]
- District 2000 - St. Paul (Headquarters)
- District 2100 - Rochester
- District 2200 - Mankato
- District 2300 - Marshall
- District 2400 - Oakdale
- District 2500 - Golden Valley
- District 2600 - St. Cloud
- District 2700 - Duluth
- District 2800 - Brainerd
- District 2900 - Detroit Lakes
- District 3100 - Virginia
- District 3200 - Thief River Falls
- District 4600 - Capitol Security / Executive Protection
- District 4700 - State wide scales and Commercial Vehicle Services.
- Flight Section - State wide flight service area.
- Investigative Services - State-wide vehicle crimes and accident reconstruction.
- Metro Communications - St. Paul / Minneapolis Metro Radio
- Training Academy- State-wide training and recruitment.
Fallen Officers[]
Since the establishment of the Minnesota State Patrol, 8 officers have died in the line of duty. [3]
| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Trooper William S. Kozlak | Wednesday, April 25, 1934 | Motorcycle accident |
| Trooper Roy C. Lichtenheld | Wednesday, October 3, 1934 | Motorcycle accident |
| Trooper Ray X. F. Krueger | Friday, November 20, 1959 | Automobile accident |
| Trooper Glen A. Skalman | Sunday, December 27, 1964 | Gunfire |
| Trooper Donald Bert Ziesmer | Monday, October 15, 1973 | Gunfire |
| Trooper Roger Curtis Williams | Wednesday, February 22, 1978 | Struck by vehicle |
| Corporal Timothy Joseph Bowe | Saturday, June 7, 1997 | Gunfire |
| Corporal Theodore Joseph Foss | Thursday, August 31, 2000 | Struck by vehicle |
Contact Information[]
444 Cedar Street, Suite 130
St. Paul
MN 55101
Phone: (651) 201-7100
See also[]
- List of law enforcement agencies in Minnesota
- State police
- State patrol
- Highway patrol