The Connecticut State Police (CSP) is a division of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection responsible for traffic regulation and law enforcement across the state of Connecticut, especially in areas not served by (or served by smaller) local police departments. The CSP currently has approximately 1,248 troopers, and is headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut. It is responsible for protecting the Governor of Connecticut, Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, and their families.
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History
The Connecticut State Police was created under House Bill #247 on May 29, 1903. Initially, five men, paid three dollars a day, were hired to enforce state liquor and vice laws, making it one of the oldest State Police forces in the nation. It was originally composed of five troopers primarily responsible for interdicting the production of moonshine. Early troopers traveled the state by railroad until automobile and motorcycle patrols were instituted, and troopers would often spend five to six days working, eating, and sleeping in the barracks constructed around the state. By 1924, seven such barracks had been built. The organization was heavily militaristic, and its internal culture was similar in this regard to other state police agencies in New England.
The 1940s was perhaps the greatest period of development of the State Police, which under Commissioner Edward J. Hickey saw the formalization of identified patrol cars, the founding of a forensics lab and a training academy, the introduction of state policewomen, the development of the nation's first radar system, the development and establishment of the first FM two-way radio communications system in the nation, and the creation of the CSP Auxiliary Trooper program, which is still in existence today. During this period, the state police expanded its patrol districts to eleven barracks.
In the 1960s, the barracks-focused structure of the department was reformed, leading to the modern shift schedule and allowing troopers to reside at home.
The Connecticut State Police is the primary law enforcement agency for approximately 1/2 of the state's 169 municipalities, and serves as the de facto highway patrol for the state's roadways and expressways. Connecticut does not have a county sheriff system that participates in routine law enforcement duties, as exists in most other states.
Approximately 40 of these communities are patrolled solely by State Troopers. The other communities have engaged in a cost-sharing contract agreement with the CSP known as a "Resident Trooper" which provides a trooper assigned to the community on a full-time basis. The title dates to a time when the Resident Trooper was an actual resident of the town, and had an office and official telephone located at his personal residence. Resident Troopers have for many decades not been required to be residents of the community they are assigned to, and offices have been moved to space provided by the host community. Costs, which include salary, equipment, and cruiser, are split between the town (70%) and state (30%). In towns that have a Resident Trooper program, the State Police will supervise and dispatch local constables with police powers (if any). Some towns with large Resident Trooper and constable programs will include State Police Sergeants in the Resident Trooper program to provide an appropriate level of supervision to full-time constable forces.
CSP Weapons
In 1983, under the direction of Colonel Lester J. Forst, the CSP adopted the Beretta 92F 9mm semi-automatic pistol. This made the CSP one of the first major law enforcement agencies in the nation to make the switch from the revolver to the semiautomatic pistol. The sidearm of the CSP was again updated in 1996 with the adoption of the SIG Sauer P229 .40 caliber pistol. (Exception being troopers assigned to the Tactical Unit, who carry the Directed Operations Group (DOG) Pistol, a custom M1911 in .45 ACP manufactured by P3LLC. Tactical unit members carry this pistol regardless of duty assignment including in uniformed patrol). Currently, CSP has transitioned to the SIG Sauer P220R .45 ACP pistol. Long guns available to Troopers (Both departmental and approved personally owned) include the Colt AR-15 .223 rifle and the Mossberg 590A1 12-gauge shotgun. Less-lethal weapons issued to Troopers include OC Pepper Spray, Expandable Straight Baton and Tasers.
CSP Uniform
The CSP uniform has been awarded the nation's "Best Dressed State Agency" on numerous occasions, three times since 1985.
The CSP badge is gold-colored for all ranks. It is worn over the left breast on the uniform shirt. A slightly different style of the Trooper's badge is worn by the ranks of Sergeant and above. All CSP badges are 10 karat gold filled, a long-standing tradition.
The CSP uniform shirt is slate gray with bright royal blue epaulets piped in gold. A 100% wool long sleeve variation is worn in the winter season (October 1 - April 30) with a royal blue knit tie. For the summer season (May 1 - September 30), a lighter polyester/wool blend short sleeve shirt is worn with an open collar. All buttons on the uniform shirt are gold brass. Other accessories worn on the uniform shirt (name tags, speciality pins, etc.) are also gold in color regardless of rank. Collar ornaments are enamel color filled and are in the shape of the agency shoulder patch. They are worn on both sides of the collar. The left collar ornament designates the troop or unit assigned, while the right collar ornament is a miniaturized version of the agency shoulder patch. Agency patches are displayed on both sleeves. Trooper First Class, Sergeant, and Master Sergeant ranks are displayed on uniform shirts and jackets as patches on both sleeves below the agency patch. Lieutenant and above ranks display rank on the collar of uniform shirts utilizing metal rank pins while the pins are displayed on the shoulder epaulets of jackets.
The CSP uniform pants are a dark-colored charcoal gray with a wide royal-blue stripe that is piped with a thinner gold stripe. A 100% wool material is used for the winter season uniform pant while the summer pant is a lighter polyester/wool blend.
A (Class A) Dress Blouse is worn for formal occasions. It is of the same dark-colored charcoal gray as the uniform pants and is 100% wool. It is worn with the Sam Browne shoulder strap. Similar to the uniform shirts, it features bright royal-blue epaulets piped in gold. It also features royal-blue and gold striping around the cuffs.
The uniform hat of the CSP is a gray Stetson-style hat as opposed to the campaign-style hat used by most state police/highway patrol agencies. The CSP has worn this style hat since 1940. The New York State Police and the Maryland State Police are the only other State Police/Highway Patrol agencies that have retained the Stetson-style hat. A royal blue band surrounds the base of the hat, and a gold pin is worn on the front of the Stetson that says "State Police" in large block letters. A cord with acorns completes the look of the Stetson. The cord color on the hat is an indicator of rank as follows:
- Troopers: Royal Blue
- Sergeants/Master Sergeants: Royal Blue and Gold
- Lieutenants and Above: Gold
The CSP utilizes black Clarino (Patent High Gloss) leather gear for duty belts and accessories. The Sam Browne duty belt features a gold brass buckle regardless of rank. ( Exception for Taser Holster). All accessories (Magazine Pouch, Handcuff Case, etc.) utilize hidden snap closures. A Clarino Sam Browne shoulder strap is added when wearing the Class A Dress Blouse.
Other garments are issued such as waist length Gore-Tex jackets, longer knee-length Gore-Tex parka jackets for severe weather and pull over wool knit sweaters.
Specialized units (K-9, Aviation, Bomb Squad, Tactical Unit, etc.) are authorized to wear BDU style utility uniforms with sewn on cloth badges, name tags, etc. and nylon web duty gear.
By policy, the uniform worn by Auxiliary Troopers must be "Clearly Distinguishable" from that of regular Troopers. Many of the items on the Auxiliary Trooper uniform were once part of the regular Trooper uniform. Auxiliary Troopers also wear a gray uniform shirt and dark navy blue uniform pants that feature a wide black stripe that is piped with a thinner gold stripe. The prominent colors on the auxiliary uniform are black and gold (the colors regular Troopers wore prior to 1950) as opposed to the blue and gold colors displayed on current Trooper uniforms. The badge is of a different style and has the prefix "Aux" before Trooper. The gray Stetson hat features a black band and is worn without the "State Police" hat pin. Collar ornaments are a shield shaped design that were once standard for regular Troopers and have the title "Aux" on them. The patch is of the old style "Pie Plate" design and is titled "Connecticut State Police Aux."
Present-day CSP
Currently, the CSP operates out of twelve barracks known as "Troops", including which was troop but is now a substation of the Hartford Barracks at Bradley International Airport. Depending on their location, some troops are more responsible for interstate traffic patrol, while others are primarily used for local law enforcement in rural districts.
Troopers typically work a "5 day on-3 day off" schedule with a 9 1/4 hour work day. Three shifts (Days, Evenings, and Midnights) make up the work day and Troopers "Bid" these shifts based on seniority. Once selected, Troopers work one of these three shifts on a permanent basis until the next bid period comes around, approximately every four months. Troopers assigned to administrative or investigative duties work an "Administrative Schedule" which consists of a Monday through Friday schedule.
Some Connecticut small towns have Resident Troopers who are regular members of the state police who are assigned specifically to that one town. Resident Troopers provide the bulk of the police administrative tasks, such as supervision of part-time town officers, if any.
Whichever duty assigned, a common motto found within the CSP is "A Trooper rides alone."
Organization
State Police Headquarters - Middletown
Troops
The CSP is divided into 11 troops, each of which has a Lieutenant Troop Commander, a master sergeant Executive officer, several patrol sergeants, a detective unit, and a full complement of personnel for patrol. The "resident troopers" in that troop area are also assigned to the troop. Additionally, each troop has its own dispatchers and clerical unit, and most have one or more mechanics to service the fleet.
Some troops, because of their location, are tasked primarily with highway patrol functions while other troops in more rural areas serve as rural police, i.e.: response to crimes, patrol of towns and neighborhoods, and providing police services to many Connecticut towns that do not have police departments of their own. (Connecticut has no County Sheriff Departments).
- A - Southbury
- B - Canaan
- C - Tolland
- D - Danielson
- E - Montville
- F - Westbrook
- G - Bridgeport
- H - Hartford
- I - Bethany
- K - Colchester
- L - Litchfield
- H - BDL - Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Troop H - Hartford at BIA supports Airport security functions as airport police, incident investigation, and backs up the airport management. Troop H also works with the Customs and Border Protection and the DEA.
Other Units:
- Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force,
- Statewide Narcotics Task Force,
- Casino Unit, (primary law enforcement at casino)* (disbanded 3/06/2015)
- Welfare Fraud Unit,
- Criminal Intelligence Unit,
- Fire Marshal Division,
- Training Division,
- Licensing and Permits Section,
- Forensics Laboratory,
- Photography and Identification unit,
- Fleet management & Purchasing,
- The Emergency Services Unit, including the following subunits:
- Aviation,
- Bomb Squad,
- SCUBA (Dive Team),
- K-9,
- Tactical Units (SWAT),
- Mass Transit Security Explosive Detection Unit
The CSP also has contingent of volunteer Surgeons as well as a contingent of volunteer Chaplains.
CSP Vehicles and Aircraft
The CSP fleet includes the traditional patrol vehicles (Ford Crown Victorias), SUVs, and motorcycles. Most unmarked patrol cars are silver, although a few navy blue, black, maroon, and dark-brown cars exist. Recently they received the new Ford Police Interceptor sedan in all silver with no marking and a light bar on top and lights on the front side and back. The Interceptor is also equipped with a front crash bumper with lights. Also, they have unmarked new Ford Interceptors with hidden lights on front wind shield and back. The CSP has had a long history of using unmarked patrol cars on the state's highways, only identifiable as police vehicles by the red and blue light bars on the top. The words "State Police" are labelled on the center of the light bar. The colored lightbars are slowly fading out of use to the new crystal clear LED lightbars. Patrol cars are outfitted with LED warning lights on the roof and rear deck, 800 MHz Digital radio systems, Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), and Mobile Video Cameras (MVRs). Some of the older vehicles have a "State Trooper" placard on the rear. The CSP has also had a long history of using non-traditional unmarked patrol cars for enforcement such as Chevrolet Camaros, Ford Mustangs, Ford Explorers, Grand Nationals, Mazda MX-6s, Ford F-Series pickup trucks, and Dodge Chargers. In 2016, they started using Unmarked Chevrolet Caprice cruisers. These units are not equipped with light bars and instead utilize more low profile emergency lighting systems.
The CSP utilizes Radar, Lidar (Laser), and VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer And Recorder) for speed enforcement.
The few marked cars the CSP has in its fleet (1 at each Troop) are white with the CSP shield and the words "Connecticut State Police" on the doors underscored by a blue and yellow line that runs down the side of the car. These marked cars are rarely used for enforcing traffic laws but instead are utilized for visibility (parades and community patrols). The motorcycles are white with the words "State Police" in blue and yellow on the windshield. The CSP helicopter is blue with the CSP shield and the words "Connecticut State Police" on the side.
Marked vehicles driven by Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Officers are often mistaken for unmarked State Police cruisers, since they are the same color and bear the same light bar assembly as State Police unmarked cruisers. The difference lies in that the DMV Enforcement Officers' patrol cars bear the state seal and "Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles" on the doors. Additionally, the letters "DMV" are labeled on the center of the light bar instead of "State Police". DMV Enforcement Officers only have the authority to enforce statewide motor vehicle laws and focus primarily on enforcing federal motor carrier safety regulations by stopping trucks operating in an unsafe manner or having defective equipment.
Rank structure
Special units
Emergency Services Unit Which consists of the K-9 Unit (Patrol and Cadaver trained German Shepherds, Narcotics Detection/Explosive Detection/Fire Accelerant Detection trained Labrador Retrievers and Man Trailing Bloodhounds, additionally some Patrol German Shepherds are cross-trained in narcotics detection), Dive Team (SCUBA), Bomb Squad, Marine Unit, Aviation Unit (which consists of three Cessna 182 fixed wing airplanes and one Bell 407 helicopter), and Tactical Unit (SWAT). The CSP Dive Team (SCUBA) is the only Law Enforcement dive team in the nation where all members are U.S. Navy trained/certified and have surface supplied air capability. Troopers attend the six-week school at the Naval Diving Training Center in Panama City, Florida. The school is considered one of the most physically and mentally demanding schools in the military. Members of the bomb squad attend the six-week joint FBI/U.S. Army Ordnance Disposal School at the Fort Redstone Arsenal military base in Huntsville, Alabama.
Bureau of Criminal Investigation Consists of specialized teams that investigate specific crimes. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation includes:
- Statewide Narcotics Task Force
- Statewide Auto Theft Task Force
- Casino Licensing and Investigations Unit
- Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force
- Central Criminal Intelligence Unit
- Computer Crimes Unit
- Statewide Fugitive Apprehension Unit
- States Attorney Investigations Unit
- Cold Case Unit
- State Fire Marshal Investigators.
Major Crime Squads Each district has its own Major Crime Squad. Districts served are as followed:
- Western District: Troops B, L, A and G
- Central District: Troops H, I and F
- Eastern District: Troops C, D, E and K
The major crime units are responsible for investigating murders, rapes, kidnapping, bank robberies, and other Class A and B Felonies.
Other Units
- The Polygraph unit is utilized for applicant processing and criminal investigations. Members of the unit attend the nine-week Basic Polygraph Operators school hosted by the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin Texas.
- The Executive Protection Unit provides security for the Governor as well as the Lieutenant Governor and their families. Members of the unit receive training from the US Secret Service in dignitary protection.
- Traffic/Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Unit. This unit also consists of the Motorcycle Squad. The squad utilizes Harley Davidson Road King police package motorcycles.
- The Special Licensing and Firearms Unit processes and reviews applications for handgun carry permits, and issues such permits to qualifying applicants.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Connecticut State Police, 21 troopers have died in the line of duty.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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