Pennsylvania State Police
Pennsylvania State Police | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | PSP |
Patch of the Pennsylvania State Police | |
Agency overview | |
Formed | May 2, 1905 |
Preceding agencies |
State Police (1905–1937)
|
Legal personality | Governmental: Government agency |
Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction* | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA |
Pennsylvania State Police Troops | |
Size | 46,055 |
Population | 12,787,209 (2014 est.)[1] |
General nature | |
Operational structure | |
Headquarters | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
Troopers | 4,719 (as of 2015) [2] |
Civilians | 1,850 (as of 2015) [2] |
Agency executive | Colonel Tyree C. Blocker [3], Acting Commissioner |
Areas | 3 |
Troops | 16 |
Facilities | |
Stations | 90 |
Helicopters | 7 Bell Jet Rangers |
Airplanes | 5 "High Wings" |
Website | |
Pennsylvania State Police website | |
Footnotes | |
* Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction. |
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is the state police force of Pennsylvania, responsible for statewide law enforcement. It was founded in 1905 by order of Governor Samuel Pennypacker, in response to the private police forces used by mine and mill owners to stop worker strikes (the Coal and Iron Police) and the inability or refusal of local police or sheriffs offices to enforce the law. The department became the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States and a model for other state police agencies throughout the nation.[4] PSP enlisted members are referred to as "troopers". As of 2015, it has 4,719 state troopers and more than 1,850 civilian support staff.[5] The state police academy is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The current commissioner is Colonel Tyree C. Blocker, nominated by Governor Tom Wolf, and was confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate.[3] Colonel Blocker replaced Marcus Brown who failed to secure confirmation by the State's legislature, and recently resigned as commissoner.[6]
Duties
The PSP's duties include patrolling all state and federal highways across Pennsylvania, enforcing the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, overseeing the state's automobile inspection program, enforcing the state's commercial vehicle safety regulations, and providing the full range of police protection for municipalities without full-time local police departments. The PSP patrols more than half of the state's 2,565 municipalities and the bulk of its rural areas, as the sheriffs in Pennsylvania have traditionally performed their court related services and only over the last several decades have begun to exercise their common law authority to enforce state law.
The PSP provides primary service for 27% of the Commonwealth's population, accounting for over 60% of the Commonwealth municipalities. This constitutes 85% of the Commonwealth's land area and 66% of the Commonwealth's highways. This is accomplished with only 19% of the police officers in the Commonwealth.[7][8]
The PSP's Bureau of Forensic Services provides crime lab services for criminal investigations. A special unit of the PSP act as bodyguards for the Governor of Pennsylvania and certain other state officials. The PSP also temporarily patrolled the state's 28 airports and five nuclear power plants in the months following the September 11 attacks. However, the PSP still conducts security checks of all of the Delaware River Bridges along the PA/NJ border, in agreement with the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.
The PSP administers the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS), which is responsible for providing background checks in firearms purchases statewide. The PSP are embroiled in a controversy concerning the maintaining of a firearms "registry" contrary to both Federal and State laws. The issue is being addressed in the courts and the legislature.
The PSP also administers the PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) background-check database and the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System.
The Call of Honor
All enlisted members of the Pennsylvania State Police are required to memorize the Pennsylvania State Police Call of Honor as listed below:
I am a Pennsylvania State Trooper, a soldier of the law.To me is entrusted the honor of the force
I must serve honestly, faithfully, and if need be, lay down my life as others have done before me, rather than swerve from the path of duty.
It is my duty to obey the law and to enforce it without any consideration of class, color, creed or condition.
It is also my duty to be of service to anyone who may be in danger or distress, and at all times so conduct myself that the honor of the force may be upheld.
Camp Cadet
Camp Cadet is a summer camp for Pennsylvania's boys and girls typically between the ages of 12 to 15 (each camp has its own eligibility requirements) who are interested in law enforcement - it is NOT a reform/boot camp for at risk youth. The camp is held at various locations throughout the State and staffed by Troopers, local police officers and many other volunteers. The goal of Camp Cadet is to introduce participants to the diverse criminal justice system and establish a positive relationship with law enforcement personnel.[9] Camp Cadet is solely funded through voluntary contributions and fund raisers. The PSP does not pay for this, and some (but not all) camps charge a fee for cadets to participate.
Uniform and rank structure
The uniform worn by PSP troopers is unique within Pennsylvania. In January 1988, the State Police changed the color of its uniforms. PSP troopers wore dark grey uniforms that confused them with some municipal police departments and Pennsylvania State Constables. By state law, no municipal (city, borough, or township) police department can wear the same exact uniform or color configuration as that of the PSP.
Uniform – troopers to sergeants
The current PSP uniform for troopers, corporals, and sergeants consist of a light gray uniform shirt with black shoulder epaulets. The PSP shoulder patch is worn on both sleeves of all uniform items. The PSP members are issued long sleeve shirts for the winter and short sleeve shirts for summer. However, PSP requires the black necktie to be worn year round. The uniform shirt consist of the trooper's nameplate over the right pocket and any awards the trooper has earned over the left pocket. The PSP is one of only five state police forces that do not wear a badge on their uniform shirts.[10] The original PSP uniform was molded from the Constabulary forces in Europe and they did not have badges. It is history and tradition for troopers today to carry their badges in a wallet along with their photo ID card. The uniform trousers are a darker gray color with a 1" black stripe on the leg. PSP shoes and/or boots are also black in color.
The PSP duty belt is Gould & Goodrich plain black leather. The duty holster is the level-2 model. The ammo pouch and handcuff case have hidden snap closure. The OC pepper spray and ASP baton holders are open top. The duty belt is held together with the trousers belt using four silver snap belt keepers.
The PSP trademark item is the campaign style hat with the chin strap worn in the front under the chin on the winter campaign hat (as opposed to most agencies that wear the strap of the campaign hat behind the head). The hat contains a blackened commonwealth coat of arms. It is required to be worn whenever the trooper is outdoors. It is made of dark gray felt (for wintertime wear) or light gray straw (for summertime wear). The strap of the summer hat is worn behind the head.
Also, as an optional part of the winter uniform, troopers may wear a black "woolly-pully" commando sweater over their uniform shirts, along with a vinyl/fur winter hat.
The Class "A" Ceremonial Unit troopers wear a "full dress" uniform which is a charcoal gray military-style dress coat with black buttons. It is worn with matching charcoal gray military-style riding breeches and black high-rider leather boots. The duty belt is worn with the shoulder strap. This uniform is modeled after the original PSP history uniform.
Uniform – lieutenants to colonels
The uniforms for PSP Lieutenants, Captains, Majors, Lieutenant Colonels, and the Colonel are identical to that of the lower ranks, except for the following:
- A gold-colored commonwealth coat of arms on the left collar and the officer's rank on the right collar.
- Black stripes on trousers has a gold stripe within it of increasing width with higher rank.
- The campaign hat is replaced with a military officer's style service cap with a gold-colored commonwealth seal. Captains and above having the distinctive "Scrambled Eggs" on the visor. Alternatively, officers may wear the campaign hat with a gold coat of arms with the duty uniform.
In addition to the minor detail changes, senior officers wear the four-button military coat for "Class A" functions. The coat has four gold-colored buttons, breast and hip pockets, and shoulder epaulets for the placement of the officer's current rank. A white shirt is worn with a black tie underneath. A system of "rank rings" are worn on each sleeve, similar to the rank-ring system used by the U.S. Navy, United States Coast Guard, and by land units of the Canadian Forces. Currently, the insignia worn by PSP senior officers are as follows:
- Lieutenant: no service stripes
- Captain: one service stripe
- Major: two service stripes
- Lt. Colonel: three service stripes
- Colonel: four service stripes
Ranks, insignia, and descriptions
Title | Insignia | Additional Information |
---|---|---|
Colonel | Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police | |
Lieutenant Colonel | Second in Command of the Pennsylvania State Police. | |
Major | Commander of an Area, such as Area III, encompassing several Troops. | |
Captain | Troop Commander, such as Troop B, encompassing several Stations. | |
Lieutenant | Station Commander, such as Station 1 (located in Troop B of Area III) | |
Sergeant | Station Commander, Supervisor of a unit, section, or specialty position. | |
Corporal | Supervisor of Troopers, oversee the patrol's daily calls for service. | |
Trooper First Class | This is a longevity promotion for Troopers with 12 years of service. | |
Trooper | Upon graduation from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, cadets are promoted to the rank of Trooper. | |
State Police Cadet | A Commonwealth employee who is enrolled in but has not yet graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. | |
Facilities
The PSP owns and operates a myriad of facilities to conduct law enforcement across the Commonwealth. The following is the breakdown.
Troops
- Troop A, Area III - Cambria, Indiana, Somerset, Westmoreland Counties; Troop HQ - Greensburg
- Troop B, Area III - Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington Counties; Troop HQ - Washington
- Troop C, Area III - Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean Counties; Troop HQ - Punxsutawney
- Troop D, Area III - Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer Counties; Troop HQ - Butler
- Troop E, Area III - Crawford, Erie, Venango, Warren Counties; Troop HQ - Lawrence Park
- Troop F, Area II - Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union Counties; Troop HQ - Montoursville
- Troop G, Area II - Bedford, Blair, Centre, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin Counties; Troop HQ - Hollidaysburg
- Troop H, Area II - Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Perry, York Counties; Troop and Department HQ - Harrisburg
- Troop J, Area II - Chester, Lancaster Counties; Troop HQ - Lancaster
- Troop K, Area I - Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia Counties; Troop HQ - Philadelphia
- Troop L, Area II - Berks, Lebanon, Schuylkill Counties; Troop HQ - Reading
- Troop M, Area I - Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton Counties; Troop HQ - Bethlehem
- Troop N, Area I - Carbon, Columbia, Lower Luzerne, Monroe Counties; Troop HQ - Hazleton
- Troop P, Area I - Bradford, Upper Luzerne, Sullivan, Wyoming Counties; Troop HQ - Wyoming
- Troop R, Area I - Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne Counties; Troop HQ - Dunmore
- Troop T - Turnpike; Troop HQ - Penna. Turnpike Commission HQ, Highspire
- Troop S - Disbanded. Patrolled State Highways. Troopers in this Troop migrated into the local stations.[11]
(*) - The Pennsylvania State Police provides highway patrol services within Philadelphia County; the Troop K Headquarters is located on Belmont Avenue near Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Police Department Highway Patrol transferred patrol of interstate highways over to the Pennsylvania State Police in early 2008.
Barracks listing by county
County | Troop | Station |
---|---|---|
Adams | H | Gettysburg |
Allegheny | B | Pittsburgh |
Allegheny | T | Gibsonia |
Armstrong | D | Kittanning |
Beaver | D | Beaver |
Bedford | G | Bedford |
Bedford | T | Everett |
Berks | L | Reading |
Berks | L | Hamburg |
Blair | G | Hollidaysburg |
Bradford | P | Towanda |
Bucks | M | Trevose |
Bucks | M | Dublin |
Butler | D | Butler |
Cambria | A | Ebensburg |
Cameron | F | Emporium |
Carbon | T | Pocono |
Carbon | N | Lehighton |
Centre | G | Phillipsburg |
Centre | G | Rockview |
Chester | J | Avondale |
Chester | J | Embreeville |
Clarion | C | Clarion |
Clearfield | C | Clearfield |
Clinton | F | Lamar |
Columbia | N | Bloomsburg |
Crawford | E | Meadville |
Cumberland | H | Carlisle |
Cumberland | T | Newville |
Dauphin | T | Highspire |
Dauphin | H | Harrisburg |
Dauphin | H | Lykens |
Delaware | K | Media |
Elk | C | Ridgway |
Erie | E | Lawrence Park |
Erie | E | Corry |
Erie | E | Girard |
Fayette | B | Uniontown |
Forest | C | Tionesta |
Franklin | H | Chambersburg |
Fulton | G | McConnellsburg |
Greene | B | Waynesburg |
Huntingdon | G | Huntingdon |
Indiana | A | Indiana |
Jefferson | C | DuBois |
Jefferson | C | Punxsutawney |
Lackawanna | R | Dunmore |
Lancaster | T | Bowmansville |
Lancaster | J | Ephrata |
Lancaster | J | Lancaster |
Lawrence | D | New Castle |
Lebanon | L | Jonestown |
Lehigh | M | Fogelsville |
Lehigh | M | Bethlehem |
Luzerne | N | Hazleton |
Luzerne | P | Shickshinny |
Luzerne | P | Wyoming |
Lycoming | F | Montoursville |
McKean | C | Kane |
Mercer | D | Mercer |
Mifflin | G | Lewistown |
Monroe | N | Swiftwater |
Monroe | N | Fern Ridge |
Montgomery | T | King of Prussia |
Montgomery | K | Skippack |
Northampton | M | Belfast |
Northumberland | F | Stonington |
Northumberland | F | Milton |
Perry | H | Newport |
Philadelphia | K | Philadelphia |
Pike | R | Blooming Grove |
Potter | F | Coudersport |
Schuylkill | L | Schuylkill Haven |
Schuylkill | L | Frackville |
Snyder | F | Selinsgrove |
Somerset | A | Somerset |
Somerset | T | Somerset |
Sullivan | P | Laporte |
Susquehanna | R | Gibson |
Tioga | F | Mansfield |
Union | F | Milton |
Venango | E | Franklin |
Warren | E | Warren |
Washington | B | Washington |
Wayne | R | Honesdale |
Westmoreland | A | Greensburg |
Westmoreland | B | Belle Vernon |
Westmoreland | T | New Stanton |
Westmoreland | A | Kiski Valley |
Wyoming | P | Tunkhannock |
York | H | York |
PSP bureaus and offices
The PSP also has many bureaus and subdivisions within the organization.[12] This is by no means a complete list, merely a sampling of the breakdown.
- Bureau of Criminal Investigation
- Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations
- Bureau of Human Resources
- Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement
- Bureau of Records and Identification
- Bureau of Patrol
- Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards
- Firearms Division
- Bureau of Technology Services
- Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network - C.L.E.A.N.
- Equal Employment Opportunity Office
- Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC)
- Domestic Security Office
- Gaming Enforcement Office
Dispatching facilities[13]
The Pennsylvania State Police was in the process of consolidating dispatch functions from the individual stations to one of five "Consolidated Dispatch Centers" (CDC). However, on July 30, 2012 The Pennsylvania State Police disbanded the CDCs and moved the dispatching operations back to the individual stations. Only two CDCs were operational - Harrisburg and Norristown. The stated reason for closing the operations at the CDCs, according to previous statements made by State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan before the Senate budget hearings, was to put more troopers back on the street. It is mandated that all PSP stations be manned on site 24/7 for emergencies and a point of refuge for people in distress. This became a problem when dispatchers, PCOs (Police Communication Operators), were moved to CDCs and the position of "Greeters" was created adding additional costs and manpower issues. When greeters were unavailable, troopers were assigned this task. Even non-CDC stations had a shortage of PCOs, in part caused by the number of PCOs required for minimum staffing at a CDC, causing troopers to regularly work as dispatchers at these stations.
Harrisburg
The Harrisburg CDC went operational in June 2004. It covered the Carlisle, Harrisburg, and Lykens stations in Troop H and the Ephrata and Lancaster Stations in Troop J. With the assumption of responsibility for the areas previously covered by the Philadelphia Highway Patrol, the Harrisburg CDC also covered the Reading and Hamburg Stations from Troop L. The Harrisburg CDC would have become the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for all PSP stations in Troops H, J, and L.
Norristown
The Norristown CDC went operational in November 2004. It covered the Philadelphia and Skippack stations in Troop K. The Norristown CDC would have become the PSAP for all PSP stations in Troops K, and M.
Other CDCs
The remaining three CDCs were to be located in Greensburg, Clarion, and Pittston. The Greensburg CDC would have covered Troops A, B, and G; the Clarion CDC would have covered Troops C, D, and E; the Pittston CDC would have covered Troops F, N, P, and R. Troop T stations are dispatched by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission at its Highspire headquarters.
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 95%
- Female: 5% [14]
Ethnicity
- White: 81%
- African American/Black: 9%
- Hispanic: 2%
- Asian: <1%
- Native American <1%
Vehicles
The department currently operates a mixed fleet of vehicles including the new law enforcement specific Ford Police Interceptor sedan and SUV, Crown Victorias, Ford F150s, Chevrolet Impalas, Jeep Cherokees, Chevrolet Tahoes, Ford Expeditions, Dodge Chargers, Dodge Magnums, and Chevrolet vans. The PSP also owns and operates numerous helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.[15] The PSP operates watercraft for the Delaware River in the Philadelphia area.[16]
Aviation
The PSP Aviation Section consists of thirty-five trooper pilots and three full-time mechanics, using eight helicopters and six airplanes statewide. These aircraft are stationed in seven aviation patrol units (APU) whose missions including, but not limited to: conducting searches and rescues; assisting in vehicle pursuits; conducting criminal surveillances; participating in marijuana eradication efforts; crime and traffic incident scene photography; transports; conducting emergency management and homeland security missions providing an aerial platform for incident command and control; and attending events promoting law enforcement efforts. The Aviation Section also provides air support to all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies within Pennsylvania and assists during non-emergency situations such as major civic and sporting events.
Weapons
The department adopted the SIG Sauer [17][18] semiautomatic pistol chambered in .45 Auto as their new service pistol. It holds 10+1 rounds. PSP submitted a solicitation for bids on May 9, 2014 for 150 such firearms for the next PSP academy cadet class to train with and keep as their issue duty sidearm.[19] The SIG P227 (.45 ACP) will eventually replace all of the department's Glock 21 Gen4 (.45 ACP) pistols which were acquired in 2013.[20] Those Glocks had replaced by trade-in 4,800 of the department's Glock 37 (.45 GAP caliber) handguns, which had replaced their Beretta 96D (.40 S&W) double-action-only (DAO) handguns back in 2007/2008.
Other firearms include the AR-15, 12-gauge shotguns (including the Remington 870 pump), and gas grenade launcher.[21]
The current less-lethal weapons the PSP is utilizing consists of Taser technology,[22] Pepper spray (OC), and expandable ASP straight baton.
Accreditation
The Pennsylvania State Police is the largest internationally accredited law enforcement agency in the world. This distinction was awarded to the Pennsylvania State Police on July 31, 1993, by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), an independent, non-profit organization based in Fairfax, Virginia.[23]
Accreditation is a process used by professional law enforcement agencies to facilitate the creation, verification and maintenance of high-quality policies and procedures, via voluntary compliance with performance standards. CALEA's 446 standards address nine major law enforcement topics: role, responsibilities, and relationships with other agencies; organization, management, and administration; personnel structure; personnel process; operations; operational support; traffic operations; prisoner and court-related services; and auxiliary and technical services.[24]
Members killed in the line of duty
Key'
shaded rows with "SHP" in the Notes cell denotes the officer was a member of the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol.
Name | Rank | Badge/Serial
Number |
Tenure | End of Watch | Age | Cause of Death | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Johnn F. Henry | Private | — | 8 months | September 2, 1906 | 31 | Gunfire | |
Francis A. Zehringer | Private | — | 8 months | September 2, 1906 | 34 | Gunfire | |
Timothy Kelleher | Private | — | 1 year, 8 months | September 14, 1907 | 29 | Stabbed | |
Mark A. Prynn | Sergeant | — | 3 years, 2 months | February 9, 1909 | 29 | Gunfire (Accidental) | |
John Garscia | Private | — | 3 years, 3 months | February 21, 1909 | 35 | Gunfire (Accidental) | |
John L. Williams | Private | — | 2 years | August 22, 1909 | 29 | Gunfire | |
John C. "Jack" Smith | Private | — | 7 months | August 23, 1909 | 24 | Gunfire | |
Robert V. Myers | Private | — | 1 year, 1 month | March 28, 1913 | 22 | Gunfire (Accidental) | |
Andrew W. Czap | Private | — | 8 months | April 28, 1918 | 24 | Gunfire | |
John F. Dargus | Private | — | 8 months | May 31, 1918 | 21 | Gunfire | |
Stanley W. Christ | Private | — | 1 month | December 1, 1919 | 22 | Animal related | |
Benjamin F. McEvoy | Corporal | — | 13 years, 3 months | September 21, 1923 | 40 | Struck by vehicle | |
William J. Omlor | Private | — | 4 years, 4 months | October 25, 1923 | 29 | Motorcycle accident | |
Francis L. Haley | Private | 2551 | 5 months | October 14, 1924 | 25 | Gunfire | |
Edwin F. Haas | Sergeant | — | 14 years | October 17, 1924 | 35 | Gunfire (Accidental) | |
Bernard S. C. McElroy | Private | — | 1 year, 11 months | December 21, 1924 | 25 | Motorcycle accident | |
Bertram Beech | Private | — | 1 year, 7 months | December 10, 1925 | 28 | Struck by train | |
Claude F. Keesey | Private | — | 1 year, 4 months | January 4, 1927 | 23 | Automobile accident | |
Martin A. Hanahoe | Patrolman | — | 1 year, 1 month | February 27, 1927 | 24 | Vehicular assault | SHP |
Thomas E. Lipka | Private | — | 1 year, 8 months | April 3, 1927 | 25 | Automobile accident | |
John M. Thomas | Sergeant | — | 1 month | May 8, 1927 | 43 | Automobile accident | |
John J. Downey | Private | 2853 | 3 years, 2 months | August 22, 1927 | 31 | Gunfire | |
Vincent A. Hassen | Corporal | — | 1 year | December 27, 1927 | 24 | Motorcycle accident | SHP |
Sharon C. Wible | Patrolman | — | 6 months | February 6, 1928 | 22 | Motorcycle accident | SHP |
Andrew W. Miller | Patrolman | — | 7 months | April 1, 1928 | 21 | Motorcycle accident | SHP |
James F. "Jay" Proof | Patrolman | — | 1 year, 6 months | August 29, 1928 | 30 | Vehicle pursuit | SHP |
Russell T. Swanson | Patrolman | — | 1 year, 6 months | April 19, 1929 | 22 | Gunfire | SHP |
Wells C. Hammond | Patrolman | — | 10 months | October 14, 1929 | 24 | Motorcycle accident | SHP |
Brady C. Paul | Corporal | — | 3 years, 11 months | December 27, 1929 | 26 | Gunfire | SHP |
Thomas E. Lawry | Corporal | — | 3 years, 4 months | January 31, 1930 | 24 | vehicular assault | SHP |
Arthur A. Koppenhaver | Patrolman | — | 1 year | July 13, 1930 | 22 | Motorcycle accident | SHP |
Charles L. Stewart | Private | — | 1 year, 1 month | July 18, 1930 | 22 | Gunfire | |
Thomas B. Elder | Patrolman | — | 2 years | March 22, 1931 | 28 | Vehicular assault | SHP |
Timothy G. McCarthy | Sergeant | — | 11 years, 8 months | May 12, 1931 | 42 | Gunfire | |
Orville A. Mohring | Patrolman | — | 2 years, 6 months | December 11, 1931 | 24 | Vehicular assault | SHP |
Joseph A. Conrad | Patrolman | — | 1 year, 11 months | September 6, 1932 | 26 | Motorcycle accident | SHP |
Charles E. Householder | Patrolman | — | 5 years, 3 months | August 20, 1933 | 27 | Vehicular assault | SHP |
Herbert P. Brantlinger | Patrolman | — | 1 year, 8 months | September 3, 1933 | 27 | Gunfire | SHP |
James A. Seerey | First Sergeant | 1760 | 14 years, 7 months | September 10, 1934 | 42 | Animal related | |
Floyd W. Maderia | Private | — | 4 years, 7 months | December 11, 1934 | 34 | Automobile accident | |
Joseph L. Fulton | Corporal | — | 7 years, 8 months | June 4, 1936 | 32 | Motorcycle accident | SHP |
Joe B. Champion | Sergeant | — | 11 years, 9 months | July 15, 1936 | 36 | Automobile accident | SHP |
J. Lee Clarke | Patrolman | — | 3 years, 1 month | March 1, 1937 | 32 | Motorcycle accident | SHP |
John E. Fessler | Private | — | 4 years, 1 month | April 23, 1937 | 32 | Gunfire | |
Joseph A. Hoffer | Private | — | 7 years, 7 months | April 27, 1937 | 29 | Gunfire | |
John J. Broski | Private | 1385 | 19 years, 7 months | August 14, 1937 | 40 | Gunfire | |
John D. Simoson | Patrolman | — | 1 year, 7 months | December 1, 1937 | 23 | Motorcycle accident | |
Joseph M. Williams | Private | — | 6 months | October 8, 1938 | 26 | Struck by vehicle | |
Charles H. Craven | Private | — | 8 years | October 11, 1938 | 32 | Struck by vehicle | |
George D. Naughton | Corporal | — | 12 years, 2 months | January 30, 1939 | 40 | Gunfire | |
Frederick J. Sutton | Private | — | 2 years, 4 months | January 3, 140 | 26 | Gunfire | |
George J. Yashur | Private | — | 3 years, 2 months | April 1, 1940 | 24 | Struck by vehicle | |
Thomas P. Carey | Private | — | 6 years, 1 month | June 17, 1941 | 31 | Exposure to toxins | |
Dean N. Zeigler | Private | — | 1 year | October 17, 1942 | 24 | Automobile accident | |
John A. Ditkosky | Private | — | 3 years, 2 months | July 24, 1950 | 27 | Automobile accident | |
Floyd B. Clouse | Private | — | 7 years, 3 months | November 2, 1953 | 29 | Gunfire | |
Joseph F. McMillen | Private | — | 3 years, 11 months | May 13, 1956 | 26 | Automobile accident | |
Philip C. Melley | Trooper | — | 19 years, 11 months | November 3, 1957 | 41 | Gunfire | |
Charles S. Stanski | Trooper | — | 4 years | January 17, 1958 | 29 | Vehicle pursuit | |
Edward Mackiw | Trooper | — | 8 years, 7 months | May 31, 1958 | 32 | Struck by vehicle | |
Stephen R. Gyurke | Trooper | 606 | 3 years, 10 months | August 24, 1958 | 29 | Struck by vehicle | |
Francis M. Tessitore | Trooper | — | 6 years, 10 months | August 5, 1960 | 28 | Struck by vehicle | |
Anthony Bensch | Trooper | — | 20 years | October 3, 1961 | 43 | Automobile accident | |
Edward W. Gundel | Sergeant | — | 24 years, 6 months | March 18, 1962 | 45 | Gunfire | |
Richard G. Barnhart | Trooper | — | 12 years, 8 months | August 8, 1964 | 37 | Vehicle pursuit | |
Gary R. Rosenberger | Trooper | — | 1 year, 6 months | December 12, 1970 | 26 | Gunfire | |
John S. Valent | Corporal | 1003 | 25 years, 10 months | December 9, 1971 | 49 | Gunfire | |
Robert D. Lapp, Jr. | Trooper | — | 8 years, 1 month | October 16, 1972 | 30 | Gunfire | |
Bruce C. Rankin | Trooper | — | 2 years, 2 months | April 25, 1973 | 25 | Automobile accident | |
Ross E. Snowden | Trooper | — | 3 years, 9 months | January 17, 1974 | 33 | Aircraft accident | |
Leo M. Koscelnick | Corporal | — | 7 years, 3 months | August 15, 1977 | 33 | Vehicular assault | |
Joseph J. Welsch | Trooper | — | 4 years, 7 months | September 13, 1977 | 26 | Gunfire | |
Wayne C. Ebert | Trooper | — | 27 years, 9 months | June 7, 1978 | 50 | Stuck by vehicle | |
Albert J. Izzo | Trooper | — | 7 years, 11 months | June 13, 1979 | 35 | Gunfire | |
David D. Monahan | Trooper | — | 8 years, 11 months | April 17, 1980 | 38 | Vehicular assault | |
Herbert A. Wirfel | Trooper | — | 20 years, 5 months | February 7, 1982 | 45 | Automobile accident | |
William R. Evans | Trooper | — | 16 years, 3 months | January 6, 1983 | 44 | Vehicle pursuit | |
Frank J. Bowen | Trooper | — | 2 years, 10 months | October 26, 1983 | 27 | Automobile accident | |
Gary W. Fisher | Trooper | — | 4 years, 1 month | February 3, 1985 | 26 | Gunfire | |
John J. Brown | Trooper | 1290 | 14 years, 7 months | February 14, 1985 | 37 | Struck by vehicle | |
Roark H. Ross | Trooper | 4099 | 13 years, 3 months | May 15, 1986 | 35 | Automobile accident | |
Clinton W. Crawford | Trooper | — | 6 years, 6 months | August 17, 1987 | 30 | Struck by vehicle | |
John A. Andrulewicz | Trooper | — | 23 years, 7 months | May 9, 1988 | 45 | Automobile accident | |
Paul I. Almer | Corporal | — | 14 years, 1 month | April 12, 1989 | 39 | Aircraft accident | |
Wayne D. Bilheimer | Trooper | — | 21 years, 3 months | April 12, 1989 | 44 | Aircraft accident | |
Arthur L. Hershey | Sergeant | — | 27 years, 8 months | January 3, 1999 | 51 | Struck by vehicle | |
Matthew R. Bond | Trooper | — | 4 years, 3 months | January 14, 2000 | 28 | Automobile accident | |
Tod C. Kelly | Trooper | — | 16 years, 4 months | November 7, 2001 | 43 | Struck by vehicle | |
Joseph J. Sepp, Jr. | Trooper | 6672 | 10 years, 8 months | November 10, 2002 | 34 | Gunfire | |
Brian A. Patterson | Trooper | 7273 | 9 years, 4 months | February 14, 2003 | 36 | Electrocuted | |
Joseph R. Pokorny, Jr. | Corporal | 4648 | 22 years, 5 months | December 12, 2005 | 45 | Gunfire | |
Joshua D. Miller | Trooper | 8819 | 10 years, 9 months | June 7, 2009 | 34 | Gunfire | |
Paul G. Richey | Trooper | 7201 | 16 years, 7 months | January 13, 2010 | 40 | Gunfire | |
Blake T. Coble | Trooper First Class | 5504 | 24 years, 9 months | October 4, 2012 | 47 | Automobile accident | |
Bryon K. Dickson, II | Corporal | 10714 | 7 years, 3 months | September 12, 2014 | 38 | Gunfire | |
David Kedra | Trooper | 12115 | 2 years, 3 months | September 30, 2014 | 26 | Gunfire (Accidental) |
Superintendents and Commissioners since 1905
The following is a chronological listings of Commissioners of the Pennsylvania State Police:[25]
Name | Tenure | Notes |
---|---|---|
Groome, John C. | 1905-1920 | First Commissioner, appointed by Governor Pennypacker |
Adams, Lynn G. | 1920-1937 | — |
Foote, Percy W. | 1937-1939 | — |
Adams, Lynn G. | 1939-1943 | — |
Wilhelm, Cecil M. | 1943-1955 | — |
Henry, E.J. | 1955-1959 | — |
McCartney, Frank G. | 1959-1963 | — |
Purdy, E. Wilson | 1963-1966 | — |
Rittelman, Paul A. | 1966-1967 | — |
McKetta, Frank | 1967-1971 | Appointed by Governor Shafer, previously lead the Federal Protective Service |
Urella, Rocco | 1971-1973 | — |
Barger, James | 1973-1977 | — |
Chylak, Paul | 1977-1979 | — |
Dunn, Daniel | 1979-1984 | — |
Laffey, Cyril | 1984 | — |
Dellarciprete, Nicholas | 1984-1985 | — |
Cochran, Jay, Jr.[26] | 1985-1987 | — |
Schafer, John K. | 1987-1987 | — |
Sharpe, Ronald | 1987-1991 | — |
Walp, Glenn | 1991-1996 | — |
Evanko, Paul | 1996-2003 | Appointed by Governors Ridge and Schweiker |
Miller, Jeffrey B. | 2003-2008 | Promoted from MAJ, appointed by Governor Rendell |
Pawlowski, Frank | 2008-2011 | Promoted from LTC, appointed by Governor Rendell |
Noonan, Frank | 2011-2014 | Former FBI Agent, appointed by Governor Corbett |
Brown, Marcus | 2014–2015 | Former Superintendent, Maryland State Police |
Blocker, Tyree C. | 2015–present | Former PSP Major, appointed by Governor Wolf |
Traditions
- The PSP was nationally-recognized as the premiere state police agency in the early years of the 20th century. State troopers from North Carolina and Kentucky attended the training academy so they could start PSP-style state agencies in their respective states. NC trooper cadets at the academy in Raleigh and KY trooper cadets in Frankfort are frequently reminded they have a familial connection to the PSP through their training process history.
- The PSP was patterned after a military organization and PSP troopers have sometimes been referred to as "Soldiers of the Law." Divisions of the force are called "troops," and officers are known as "troopers" a title usually reserved for members of the United States Cavalry, and reminiscent of the early beginnings of the department when officers patrolled on horseback. Regional headquarters, at which single troopers were once required to live, are referred to as "barracks". The original concept was that the troopers did not apply to join the PSP but "enlisted" for two-year periods, after which they could be honorably discharged or apply for reenlistment. The longstanding two-year enlistment periods were phased out in 1961.
- Married men were initially barred from becoming state troopers. After 1927, troopers were allowed to marry after they had completed their first two-year enlistment if they had approval from the police superintendent. The PSP allowed married men to enlist in 1963.[11]
- On October 1, 1971, the first female applicant was accepted as a cadet in the Pennsylvania State Police. The academy class, containing the first female troopers, graduated on July 7, 1972.[27]
- PSP does not allow ride-alongs. Even state police cadets cannot "ride-along" prior to graduating the academy. This is done for numerous safety and liability reasons.[28]
Misconduct
- 2000
Trooper Michael Evans pleaded guilty in October 2000 to sexual crimes committed against six women and teenage girls while on duty. He was sentenced to between five and ten years in custody.[29][30]
- 2007
In September, 2007, Trooper Kevin Foley was arrested for the murder of a dentist, Dr. Yelenic, in Blairsville, PA. [31]
- 2008
In July, 2008, Trooper Kevin Coleman was charged with protecting a prostitution ring based out of the Gables Truck Stop in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.[32]
- 2009
In May 2009, Trooper Shawn Dillard was found guilty by a federal court of using his position to protect an interstate prostitution ring based out of the Gables Truck Stop in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This was the same investigation that led to the arrest of Trooper Coleman.[33]
- 2011
In early 2011, as a result of a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, the state police agreed to stop issuing tickets to people who swear. Press reports indicated the state police had issued as many as 700 such citations a year.[34]
In March 2011, Trooper Barry R. Tangert Jr. was sentenced to 14 months supervised probation for interfering with a child abuse investigation.[35]
- 2012
In January 2012, Lieutenant Barry Eugene Staub, the commander of the state police barracks in York was arrested for driving while drunk. He retired when charges were brought against him.[36]
- 2014
In March, 2014 Trooper Barry M Seafoss, Jr. pleaded guilty to killing a woman while driving drunk in 2012. He was sentenced to between six and 23 months confinement.[37]
In popular culture
- An undercover PSP officer played by Sarah Jessica Parker co-stars with Bruce Willis playing a Pittsburgh Police River Rescue Squad officer in the 1993 movie Striking Distance.
- The PSP were featured in the CSI: NY episode "Redemption" as well as the Law & Order season 9 episode 10 titled "Hate".
- Featured in the movie For Richer or Poorer.
- Stephen King's novel From a Buick 8 features Troop D in a fictional town named Statler.
- The PSP were featured in the movie "Unstoppable" starring Denzel Washington where a runaway train passes through numerous towns and townships within the state of Pennsylvania.
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania
- List of Pennsylvania state agencies
- Pennsylvania Capitol Police
- Highway patrol
- State patrol
- State police
References
- ↑ "2014 Population Estimates". census.gov.
- 1 2 http://www.psp.pa.gov/About%20Us/Pages/default.aspx. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - 1 2 https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-nominates-state-police-commissioner/
- ↑ History of the Pennsylvania State Police Pennsylvania State Police - Historical, Educational and Memorial Center. Retrieved 12-08-2014.
- ↑ About the Pennsylvania State Police Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 12-08-2014.
- ↑ http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-p-pa-wolf-new-state-police-commissioner-2-20150803-story.html
- ↑ http://psta.org/images/about_map.gif
- ↑ "Pennsylvania State Troopers Association - About".
- ↑ "Home".
- ↑ Kidd, R. Spencer (2012). Uniforms of the U.S. State Police & Highway Patrols. lulu.com. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-4717-7729-5. OCLC 929822564.
- 1 2 The Pennsylvania State Police (April 2003), PSP: PSP History 1900 to 1940, retrieved 2008-12-25
- ↑ The Pennsylvania State Police (2008), PSP Bureau and Office Website Listing, retrieved 2008-12-27
- ↑ The Pennsylvania State Police (2008), State Police Unveils High-Tech Dispatch Center, retrieved 2008-12-27
- ↑ Pennsylvania: Feds bullying over state police test; by the Associated Press, 25 November 2014
- ↑ http://www.psp.pa.gov/law-enforcement-services/Pages/Aviation.aspx#.VOsTFUYo6Uk
- ↑ http://www.patrooper.com/template/gallery_images/2/9_800x568.jpg?1394786553
- ↑ P227 (specifically the SIG Sauer P227R (rail), .45 ACP, Nitron, SLITE (SIGLITE Night Sights), DA/SA)
- ↑ http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p227-nitron.aspx SIG Sauer, Catalog Product Details, P227 Nitron
- ↑ http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/Solicitations.aspx?SID=6100029421
- ↑ http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/filedownload.aspx?file=6100025067/solicitation_3.pdf
- ↑ NRA Staff. "Pennsylvania State Police Select Remington 870". American Rifleman. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ↑ "Home".
- ↑ PA State Police Remains Largest Accredited Police Agency in the World PR Newswire. Retrieved 12-08-2014.
- ↑ "Home".
- ↑ Pennsylvania State Police Leadership, Superintendents and Commissioners since 1905, retrieved 2011-03-05
- ↑ http://psp-hemc.org/leaders/
- ↑ The Pennsylvania Highway Patrol (April 2004), PSP: PSP History 1941 to Present, retrieved 2008-12-25
- ↑ "The page 'faq.html' was not found.".
- ↑ Alleged trooper sex acts listed Accusations of sexual misconduct on the Pa. state police force are outlined in a court filing, by Chris Gray, Philadelphia Inquirer, 14 June 2003, INQUIRER
- ↑ Trooper Pleads Guilty Michael Evans Gets 5-10 Years For Sexually Abusing 3 Girls, 3 Women, by Joseph P Ferry, 4 October 2000, The Morning Call
- ↑ Trooper arrested in dentist's killing, by Jim McKinnon, 28 September 2007 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- ↑ Officer 2nd charged in prostitution inquiry , by Pete Shellem, 4 July 2008 Patriot News
- ↑ FBI press release “Former Pennsylvania State Trooper Convicted” dated 16 May 2009
- ↑ What the .... It's not illegal to swear at a state police officer, bythe Associated Press, January 04, 2011
- ↑ State trooper gets probation, will lose job for interfering with Cumberland County investigation, by DAN MILLER, 29 March 2011, The Patriot-News
- ↑ Commander of York County state police barracks retires after DUI charge, by MIKE ARGENTO, 6 January 2012, Daily Record/Sunday News
- ↑ Ex-Trooper get jail time for fatal Upper Dublin Crash, by Margret Gibbons, 4 March 2014, The Intelligencer
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pennsylvania State Police. |
- ODMP memorial for Pennsylvania State Police
- Official Web Site
- Official Recruiting Web Site
- Pennsylvania State Police History
- Pennsylvania State Troopers Association
- Retired State Police Association of Pennsylvania
- Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics, 2000: Data for Individual State and Local Agencies with 100 or More Officers
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