April 14 – 20: Michigan State Police History Week
LANSING. This week the Michigan State Police (MSP) is celebrating its 96th anniversary and to honor this milestone Gov. Rick Snyder has declared April 14 – 20, 2013, as Michigan State Police History Week. Several state police posts will host open house events. The Negaunee post will have an open house Friday, April 19th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
“What started as a small cavalry of men has evolved into a complex, professional law enforcement agency responsible for not only general police investigative services and traffic patrol, but also forensic science services, statewide criminal justice records management and state homeland security and emergency management,” stated Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “This week as we mark our 96th anniversary, it is a time for us to reflect on our rich history and traditions, as well as to recommit to serving the public with excellence, integrity and courtesy – always providing ‘service with a purpose’.”
The MSP’s roots date back to World War I when the department began as a temporary, wartime emergency force for the purpose of domestic security.
On April 19, 1917, Gov. Albert Sleeper created the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force, also known as the Michigan State Constabulary. With Col. Roy C. Vandercook as the first commanding officer, this new force consisted of five troops of mounted, dismounted and motorized units.
On March 26, 1919, Public Act 26 reorganized the Constabulary as the permanent, peace-time Michigan State Police. When Michigan adopted a new Constitution in 1963, authorizing up to 20 departments, Public Act 380 of 1965 reorganized the MSP as one of these departments. The Director of the MSP holds the rank of Colonel and is appointed by the Governor.
Today, the MSP is a modern-day, full-service law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction consisting of nearly 2,500 enforcement and civilian members. For more information on the MSP, visit www.michigan.gov/msp.