Idaho State Police

The Idaho State Police (ISP) is the statewide law enforcement agency for the state of Idaho. It was created on May 18, 1919 as the Bureau of Constabulary, 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 dumb animals that are inhibited by law." The state constabulary was also charged with the organization of various state, county and municipal peace officers. [cite book |title=State Trooper: America’s State Troopers and Highway Patrolmen |year=2001 |publisher=Turner Publishing Company/National Troopers Coalition |location=Paducah, KY |isbn=1-56311-613-8]

Divisions

The Idaho State Police is divided geographically into 6 regions with a central headquarters and training facility located in Meridian, Idaho. The six regional offices (1-6) are Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Idaho Falls. [ [http://www.isp.state.id.us/investigations/index.html Idaho State Police Web Page] ] Each region has a different captain and command staff, and are managed differently. Each region has two divisions; patrol and investigations. Despite the large size of the state, the force only consists of 256 troopers (62 of them assigned to the Investigations Section [ [http://www.isp.state.id.us/investigations/about.html Idaho State Police Web Page] ] ) and 78 civilian staff. [ [http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_76.html FBI Uniform Crime Reports 2006, Table 76] ]

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 law while on call. Troopers have permission to investigate and enforce fish and game violations.

Investigation

The investigation division consists of plain-clothes detectives who enforce the laws 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 ensure 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.

Other duties

The Idaho State Police has three regional communications centers staffed with dispatchers who provide support to officers in the field. [ [http://www.isp.state.id.us/communications/about.html Idaho State Police Web Page] ]

Some areas of the state such as the Boise valley and the Coeur d’Alene area are large enough that the local agencies can handle large criminal cases themselves.Fact|date=October 2007 However, much of the state is made up of small rural communities where the local law enforcement agencies often do not have the staff or budget to handle large investigations. It is in these smaller areas that the State Police often assists in providing investigation and law enforcement.Fact|date=October 2007

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. [ [http://www.isp.state.id.us/hr/trooper_info/choose.html Idaho State Police Web Page] ]

The Idaho State Police has a 20 member tactical team made up of both troopers and detectives from every region in the state. The team was formerly referred to as the Crisis Response Team, the name has since been changed to Special Weapons and Tactics.Fact|date=October 2007

The Idaho State Police had also, until recently, fielded a Crowd Intervention Team to suppress riots and manage large crowds. Due to budget constraints and lack of use the team was deactivated.Fact|date=October 2007

Weapons

Idaho State Police Officers are issued their choice of either the Glock 22 "or" 23 in .40 S&W, as well as a compact model 27, also in .40 S&W.

Fallen Officers

Since the establishment of the Idaho State Police, 5 officers have died in the line of duty. [ [http://www.odmp.org/search.php The Officer Down Memorial Page] ]

ee also

* List of law enforcement agencies in Idaho
* State police
* State patrol
* Highway patrol

References

External links

* [http://www.isp.state.id.us Official ISP website]