Indiana State Police

Indiana State Police
In July of 1921, The Indiana General Assembly created the Motor Vehicle Police as a means to combat the increasing problem of car theft in the state. In 1925, the force was finally granted police powers, however an officer could not arrest even a known criminal unless he was also a traffic violator! In 1933, the Indiana State Police was formed under the umbrella of the new Division of Public Safety with 66 new recruits. By 1937, that number increased to 170 officers. In 1939, the ISP had the distinction of being the first law enforcement agency in North America to have authorized the use of a chemical test to determine levels of intoxication with the famed "Drunkometer". This was followed in 1955 with an improved version of the device called the Breathalyser invented by ISP Captain R.F. Borkenstein. This successful device has been used by police agencies around the world to assess impairment by alcohol in driving offenses. In 1947, an aviation division was created and in 1951, 25 new full time officers were hired for the new Motor Carrier Division to address commercial vehicle traffic regulations. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation was formed in 1998. Today, the ISP continues it's mandate of working with communities to improve public safety, enforcing traffic and drug laws, investigating crimes and enforcing the laws and regulations pertaining to commercial motor vehicles.
Indiana State Flag The flags dimensions shall be three feet fly by two feet hoist; or five feet fly by three feet hoist; or any size proportionate to either of those dimensions. The field of the flag shall be blue with nineteen stars and a flaming torch in gold or buff. Thirteen stars shall be arranged in an outer circle, representing the original thirteen states; five stars shall be arranged in a half circle below the torch and inside the outer circle of stars, representing the states admitted prior to Indiana; and the nineteenth star, appreciably larger than the others and representing Indiana shall be placed above the flame of the torch. The outer circle of stars shall be so arranged that one star shall appear directly in the middle at the top of the circle, and the word "Indiana" shall be placed in a half circle over and above the star representing Indiana and midway between it and the star in the center above it. Rays shall be shown radiating from the torch to the three stars on each side of the star in the upper center of the circle.
Embossed steel (Approx, 8" x 5.5") State Vehicle-Confirmed ISP use	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1942 issue State Owned Car over number over indiana - 42 Picture courtesy of the Indiana State Police
*1952 State Owned- Type used by State Police* Picture courtesy of Vintage Police Cars Magazine
*1954-55 State Owned- Type used by State Police*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1958 State Owned base* DRIVE SAFELY slogan Picture source: e-Bay	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Exact date unknown- Sports colors similar to 1961 Indiana plates but uses 1956-1958 DRIVE SAFELY slogan. Number may be too high for ISP use.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1964 State Owned base* Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Confirmed ISP number (1500-1999 number bloc reserved for ISP)	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Confirmed ISP number (1500-1999 number bloc as well as 4300 number bloc reserved for ISP)	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1967 issue- No reserved number blocs known.* Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1968 issue- No reserved number blocs known.* Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1969 issue- No reserved number blocs known.* Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1970 issue- No reserved number blocs known.* Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1972-1979 issue- (3100-3300 number bloc reserved for ISP- Some ISP photos of this era also reveal ISP cars with plates in the 4000-4300 series)	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1979-2006- Despite being agency-specific plates, they still bear an assigned number bloc (2000-4999).
One of 25 samples made for state dignitaries when these new plates were introduced in 1979 Courtesy of the Bob Bruce Collection
2006-Current Issue Flat base with no "Indiana Indentation"
State-issued commemorative plate used on the front of ISP patrol cars in 1966/67.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
State-issued commemorative plate used on the front of ISP patrol cars in 1966/67- This one with no embossed border.	Picture courtesy of "The Indiana Trooper"
Flat screened plastic booster plate to commemorate the ISP's 50th Anniversary	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Late 1970's-early 1980's optional front plate/booster	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1980's screened thin aluminum optional front plate/booster	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1990's-2000's embossed thin aluminum optional front plate/booster
Current front plate Picture courtesy of Robert Ward	Picture courtesy of Robert Ward
Current Issue 75th Anniversary plate Plate courtesy of Robert Ward	Picture courtesy of Robert Ward
Apparently used by Tax and Excise Officers during the 1960's. Possibly a dash plate. 73 is the number and not the year. Information is sketchy, so clarification would be appreciated.
1960's-1970's- Dash plate used for parking ISP unmarked car.
1965 State Owned motorcycle	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1970's-1980 Indiana State Police Alliance Booster
1991- Indiana State Police Alliance Booster
*1993- Indiana State Police Alliance Booster*
2003 special-issue passenger plate for the Indiana State Police Memorial