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Kansas
Highway Patrol
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 In 1933, the Kansas Legislature, Governor Alfred Landon, and Highway Department Attorney Wint Smith acted to halt the rampant bank robberies and crime sprees of the 1920s and 1930s. They created a force of ten motor vehicle inspectors, forerunners of Kansas troopers. In 1937, the Kansas Highway Patrol was formed and comprised of a superintendent, assistant superintendent, and 45 troopers to reduce accidents by enforcing traffic, vehicle, and license laws. That same year, the fleet included four motorcycles and 31 automobiles with silver tops and black bodies with gold shields on the doors. In 1955/56, the Patrol began to police the turnpike for the Kansas Turnpike Authority, and Protective Services began with one trooper providing the governor's ground transportation. In the 1960s, each trooper was assigned a patrol car to improve roadway coverage, as up to that point, troopers always patrolled in pairs. In 1976, the Patrol gained authority over the Capitol Area Security Patrol, which would become the Capitol Police, or Troop K. In 1988, authority over the Motor Carrier Inspectors passed from the Department of Revenue to the Patrol. Patrol units did not have moving radar until 1972 or video cameras until the 1990s. The KHP is divided into 3 regions. The East Region encompasses Troops A, B and H. The Central Region encompasses Troops C and F. The West Region encompasses Troops D and E. General HQ is in Topeka, The Turnpike Troop is Troop G. Troop I is Criminal Interdiction, Canine Unit, Motor Vehicle Enforcement and Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. Troop J is Safety Education and Training. Capitol Policing is Troop K and Protective Services is Troop L. |
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Kansas State Flag
 On a navy blue field is a sunflower, the state flower. Also, the state seal and the words "Kansas". In the picture of the state seal are thirty-four stars representing the order of statehood. Above the stars is the motto "To the Stars Through Difficulties". On the seal a sunrise overshadows a farmer plowing a field near his log cabin, a steamboat sailing the Kansas River, a wagontrain heading west and Native Americans hunting bison. |
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 1973-1981 issue- Earlier type with smaller circle inside sunflower ("thicker" flower) and squat dies for OFFICIAL along bottom. KHP patrol vehicles used this style of plate, however with a registration number between 200 and 1000. When the KSP went to graphic plates in 1981, these embossed sunflower plates were ordered removed and destroyed. |
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 1973-1981 issue. KHP patrol vehicles used this style of state government plate with a registration number between 200 and 1000. When the KSP went to graphic plates in 1981, these embossed sunflower plates were ordered removed and destroyed, hence, the tell-tale vertical crease down the middle of the plate which indicated that this plate was one step closer to "the furnace" before some kind soul rescued it for posterity! Courtesy of Tom and Susan Allen Collection |
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 1981(early) issue. This may have been a test plate as opposed to a general issue. Features crisp graphic of KSP shirt badge and officer's radio number, however contrast for yellow over the white did not display well. Any confirming information would be greatly appreciated. |
We are looking for a picture showing
this type plate on duty.... Can you help us? |
 1981 (early) issue- This may have been a test plate as opposed to a general issue. Features crisp graphic of KSP shirt badge and officer's radio number. Courtesy of the Bob Bruce Collection |
We are looking for a picture showing
this type plate on duty.... Can you help us? |
 1981-Circa 2000 issue. Features crisp graphic of KHP shirt badge and officer's radio number. |
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 1981-Circa 2000 issue. T1= Training Car #1. Told it was once attached to an EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course) car. |
 Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein |
 1981-Circa 2000 issue. This plate was attached to a Rollover Simulator as an educational device to demonstrate the need for the public to "Buckle Up". Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection |
We are looking for a picture showing
this type plate on duty.... Can you help us? |
 1990's issue (actual dates unknown). Plates in the 20XX (two thousand)range are used on Motorist Assistance Vehicles. People operating these vehicles are employees of the KHP but are not sworn troopers. They render assistance to motorists who have a problem (flat tire, out of gas, etc.). They operate mainly in the Wichita and Kansas City Metropolitan Areas. |
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 2000-Current issue- |
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 1980's issue- Kansas Turnpike Patrol. Applied vinyl characters on acrylic. Once used by Trooper Gary Haak out of Lawrence KS. |
We are looking for a picture showing |
 1990's-Current issue- Kansas Turnpike Patrol. Wider character font. |
 Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein |
 1990's issue (exact date unknown) Plates in the 9000 (nine thousand) range are used on Motor Carrier Inspector's vehicles. Personnel operating these vehicles are sworn police officers and have full arrest powers. These vehicles are assigned to a specific MC Inspector, and like the KHP Trooper's plates they reflect the MCI's radio number. Picture Courtesy of John W. Cook 
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 Picture Courtesy of John W. Cook
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 1990's issue (exact date unknown) Plates in the 2100 (twenty-one hundred) range are used on Capitol Police vehicles. Personnel operating these vehicles are sworn police officers and have full arrest powers. Believe these are pool cars and not assigned to specific individuals. Some background on the Kansas Capitol Police. The Capitol Area Security Patrol was transferred to the KHP 1976. It became Division 8 within the KHP. In 1989 Division 8 became Troop K of the KHP. The CASP was renamed the Kansas Capitol Police in 1992 Picture Courtesy of John W. Cook
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 Picture Courtesy of John W. Cook
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 Motorcycle plate ~ 1981-Circa 2000 issue. Features crisp graphic of KHP shirt badge Plate courtesy of the Tom & Susan Allen Collection |
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 1995 issue- NTC Conference "souvenir" plate. All silk-screened. Courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection |
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