Connecticut State Police - History

History

The Connecticut State Police traces its history from May 29, 1903 when 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 officers primarily responsible for interdicting the production of moonshine. Early officers 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 police women, 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 normal State Police patrols. 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 & Constable programs will include State Police Sergeants in the Resident Trooper program to provide an appropriate level of supervision to full-time constable forces.

In 1983 under the direction of Colonel Lester J. Forst, the CSP adopted the Beretta 92F 9mm semiautomatic 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 which is the current issue sidearm. (Exception being troopers assigned to the Tactical Unit, who carry the Directed Operations Group (DOG) Pistol, a custom 1911 in .45ACP manufactured by P3LLC. Tactical Unit members carry this pistol regardless of duty assignment including in uniformed patrol). Currently, CSP is in the transition of switching over to the Sig Sauer P220 .45 caliber, replacing the 16 year old .40 caliber. Less-lethal weapons issued to Troopers include OC Pepper Spray, Expandable Straight Baton, and Tasers.

CSP Uniform

The CSP uniform has been awarded the nations "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 navy blue 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 navy blue 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. 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."