Michigan State Police Celebrates 100th Birthday Today
The Michigan State Police is celebrating their centennial birthday today.
“The pride and commitment to service that began 100 years ago remains intact today in every member of the Michigan State Police,” said Governor Rick Snyder. “I encourage all Michiganders to join me in recognizing this historic milestone and their 100 years of proud service to the Great Lakes state with excellence, integrity and courtesy.”
According to the MSP, the history of the Michigan State Police is this: "On April 19, 1917, Gov. Albert Sleeper created the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force, also known as the Michigan State Constabulary." Col. Roy Vandercook led the first force, which consisted of five troops of mounted, dismounted and motorized units totaling 300 men.
The Michigan State Police also provided this "Then and Now" chart:
Then | Now |
---|---|
Horses were the main mode of transportation for troopers in 1917 and the department's entire motor fleet consisted of four unmarked staff cars, two supply trucks and an armored truck. | The MSP fleet contains over 2,220 vehicles today with a variety of makes, models and purposes. Today's fleet also includes dive boats, helicopters and motorcycles. |
Two-man mounted detachments rode daily patrols of 15 to 35 miles, returning to their barracks each night. | Today, troopers on average drive over 125 miles during their daily patrol. |
In 1917, troopers wore a khaki and forest green uniform consisting of military tunics with breeches, leather puttees, and either a Campaign-style hat or a Stetson. | Today, troopers wear a dark blue and grey uniform that became the standard in 1961, along with a Campaign-style hat that was recently added in recognition of the department’s 100th Anniversary. |
In 1917, lacking any other means of communication, troopers had to check for telegram messages at the post office of each town they visited. | Today, troopers communicate using smartphones, mobile data computers and 800 MHz radios. |
Capt. Ira H. Marmon opened a Bureau of Investigation and Identification at the East Lansing Headquarters in 1919 using a primitive fingerprint records file in an old shoebox that he stored under his barracks cot next to his desk. | Today, fingerprint records are stored in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) database, which contains over 3.6 million records |
In 1918, troopers rendered aid in six automobile wrecks. | In 2016, troopers rendered aid in 43,488 traffic crashes. |
In 1918, troopers made 2,937 arrests. | In 2016, troopers made 72,695 arrests |
BONUS VIDEO