Idaho State Police

Idaho State Police
AbbreviationISP
MottoCommitted to serving and protecting the lives, property, and constitutional rights of people in Idaho.
Agency overview
FormedFebruary 20, 1939;
85 years ago (1939-02-20)[1]
Preceding agency
  • Bureau of Constabulary
    May 18, 1919;
    105 years ago     (1919-05-18)
    (dissolved in 1923)
Employees700+ full and part time
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionIdaho, US
ISP Patrol Districts
Size83,642 square miles (216,630 km2)
Population1,716,943 (2017 est.)[2]
Constituting instrument
  • Idaho State Code
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersMeridian, Idaho
Commissioned Troopers379 (as of 2024)
Professional Civilian Staffs278 full-time (as of 2024)
Agency executive
  • Colonel Bill Gardiner, Director
Child agency
  • Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)

    Idaho Racing Commission

    State Brands Inspector
Facilities
Districts6
Website
isp.idaho.gov

The Idaho State Police (ISP) is the statewide law enforcement agency for the State of Idaho. It began as the Bureau of Constabulary, created on May 18, 1919,[1] 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 animals that are inhibited by law." The state constabulary was also charged with the organization of various state, county and municipal peace officers.[3] The bureau was dissolved by the state legislature in 1923.[1]

The Idaho State Police was formed 85 years ago in 1939, when Governor C. A. Bottolfsen signed the bill on February 20.[1][4]

Divisions

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The Idaho State Police is divided geographically into six districts, with headquarters (and training facility) in Meridian, west of Boise. District offices (1–3) are located in Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, and Meridian. District offices (4–6) are located in Jerome, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls.[5] Each district has a different captain and command staff, are managed separately and are overseen by a major. Each district has two divisions; patrol and investigations.

Patrol

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ISP patrol car at the Idaho State Capitol

The patrol division consists of uniformed state troopers who enforce the laws of Idaho. Commonly, a trooper will spend their time enforcing motor vehicle laws while on duty, primarily on state and federal highways.

Investigation

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The investigation division consists of plainclothes detectives who enforce the laws of Idaho. The Idaho State Police detectives investigate major crimes such as homicide and large scale drug-related offenses.

Other divisions

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  • The Alcohol Beverage Control division ensures all establishments which sell or produce alcohol are properly licensed and conform to the law. The Idaho State Liquor Dispensary maintains a monopoly on the sale of all alcoholic beverages that exceed 16% alcohol by volume. The ABC enforces Title 23 - Alcoholic Beverages IDAPA 11 Title 05 Chapter 01.
  • 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.
  • Racing Commission provides oversight for horse racing activities within Idaho.
  • Brands Board conducts livestock brand inspection, required for ownership changes, leaving Idaho and slaughter.

Other duties

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The Idaho State Police has two regional communications centers staffed with dispatchers who provide support to officers in the field.[6]

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.[7]

Rank structure

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Title Insignia
Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Trooper
 No insignia

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Idaho State Police makes wishes on 50th birthday". Idahonian. Moscow. Associated Press. February 21, 1989. p. 5A.
  2. ^ "US Census; Retrieved 2018-04-19". 2017 Population Estimates
  3. ^ State Trooper: America's State Troopers and Highway Patrolmen. Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing Company/National Troopers Coalition. 2001. ISBN 1-56311-613-8.
  4. ^ "Governor signs measure creating police force". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. February 21, 1939. p. 1.
  5. ^ "Idaho State Police Web Page". Archived from the original on 2007-08-19. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  6. ^ "Idaho State Police Web Page". Archived from the original on 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  7. ^ "Idaho State Police Web Page". Archived from the original on 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
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