Michigan State Police

Michigan State Police
The Michigan Department of State Police began as a temporary, wartime emergency force for the purpose of domestic security during World War I. On April 19, 1917, the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force, (also known as the Michigan State Constabulary) was created. This new force consisted of five Troops of mounted, dismounted and motorized units, totaling 300 men. On March 26, 1919, Public Act 26 reorganized the Constabulary as the permanent, peace-time Michigan State Police. In 1924, an expanded fleet of Indian and Harley Davidson motorcycles were introduced to highway patrol including in the Winter (with use of sidecars of course). In 1930, the black uniform was replaced with the familiar blue and gray uniform. After the end of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur requested the help of the Michigan State Police in reorganizing the Japanese national police as a democratic, civil police force. A high honor indeed for the MSP! By 1956, the ranks of the MSP swelled to 1000 for the first time. In 1965, the MSP was reorganized and was one of 19 departments provided by the new state constitution. Today, the Michigan State Police consists of a modern-day force of over 3000 civilian and law enforcement professionals, using the latest up-to-date training and technology to protect the citizens of Michigan. There are 65 MSP Posts throughout the Great Lake State and many elements of logistical support including canine, aviation and crime labs to name a few. Marked patrol vehicles of the MSP still bear the single red rotator rooftop light, some call the "tomato can". It is one of the few agencies in North America that still uses this older style overhead light. What was once a cavalry of 300 men now has evolved into one of the leading police agencies of the United States, truly reflective of the MSP's motto: "A Proud Tradition of Service Through Excellence, Integrity and Courtesy"
Michigan State Flag On the blue shield the sun rises over a lake and peninsula, a man with raised hand and holding a gun represents peace and the ability to defend his rights. The elk and moose are symbols of Michigan, while the eagle represents the United States.
*1924 issue* Picture courtesy of the Michigan State Police
*1930 issue* Picture source: e-Bay	Picture courtesy of the Michigan State Police
*1934 issue* Picture courtesy of Joseph Horvath
*1947 issue* Picture courtesy of the Michigan State Police
1958-1964 issue- Dark blue and yellow (called Maize) colors commemorated 150th Anniversary of University of Michigan. WATER WONDERLAND- Unsure if Troop number designations on MSP license plates had commenced in 1958, but if they had, this plate would be out of Pontiac Post (27) car 3.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1965-1967 issue- Dark blue and yellow (called Maize) colors commemorated 150th Anniversary of University of Michigan. WATER WINTER WONDERLAND- Unsure if Troop number designations on MSP license plates had commenced in 1965, but if they had, this plate would be out of Newberry Post (82) car 1. Some of these plates of this era had painted (blue) backsides on the older ones, and the newer issues just had bare aluminum backsides.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1968-1969 issue. Niles Post- car 3	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1970-1972 issue. Non-reflective flat yellow paint- GREAT LAKE over STATE- Newaygo Post- Car 3	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1973-1975 issue- 22= Romeo Post Car 1 - GREAT LAKE over STATE Reflective characters and border introduced	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1976-1989 issue- 12= Brighton Post Car 2- Painted embossed border	Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
1976-1989 issue- K9= Dog Handler Post 82 (Newberry)- Painted embossed border.	Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
*Late 1980's-1989 issue- 63= Mt. Pleasant Post- Step border*	Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
Late 1980's-1989 issue- K9= Dog Handler. Post 77= Manistee Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
**1989-Current issue- K9= Dog Handler Post 4- Step border** Picture only Norm's needs this for his collection Drop him a line if you can help.
*1989-Current issue- 79= Kalkaska Team Car 1- Step border*
1989-Current issue with step border District Commander's plate - Lansing HQ Courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1989-current issue - Jonesville Post Motor Carrier Enforcement (all MSP plates with assignment number in the 90's indicated Motor Carrier Enforcement). This plate would have been issued prior to the absorption of the 4th District into the adjacent 1, 2 and 5 Districts	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Current passenger plate with MSP number. Post 33= Bad Axe. Norm is searching for one of these types for his collection. Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek
Michigan State Police personnel were eligible to order these MSP suffixed passenger license plates for their personal vehicles if so desired. The practice was discontinued several years ago Norm is searching for one of these for his collection. Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek
PD (Personnel Division) Prefix plate. A type that Norm is searching for his collection. Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek
*L prefix ~ State-Owned Base* Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek
State Owned plate TD = Training Division Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
*BS = Bomb Squad* Picture courtesy of Eric Laskowski	Picture courtesy of Eric Laskowski
Current base plate- UB = Uniform Bureau (no specific Post designation) Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek
2006-Current issue Training Division plate. No state name or slogan. This type of plate has apparently been issued for the exclusive use of MSP vehicles used for training at the MSP Precision Driving Facility. The MSP Precision Driving Facility is located on a 42-acre site adjacent to the MSP Training Academy in Lansing. Its purpose is to provide emergency vehicle operations training to members of the law enforcement community, both in-state and out of state. The facility features a nine acre precision maneuvering pad (700' x 500'), a three acre skid pad (500' x 200'), an off-road recovery lane, an observation tower, seven full-time staff members and 27 safety equipped vehicles.
Special one-of-a-kind 75th Anniversary "motto" version stamped onto older maize over blue SP plate - Courtesy of Sgt Greg Sebring MSP (Ret)
Circa 2006- Custom plates. Test types developed before launching 2007 base plate Courtesy of Sgt. Greg Sebring Michigan SP (Ret)
Early 2007 issue. Features emblem of MSP followed by embossed assignment number. TD= Training Division. No state slogan, only website address along lower banner line. As of 04/22/2007, it appears as though these new plates are only used by Training Division vehicles, as no Post versions have yet to surface.
Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek	Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek
2008 issue. Features emblem of MSP followed by embossed assignment number. BS = Bomb Squad. No state slogan, only website address along lower banner line. Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek	Photo Courtesy of Mike Paciorek
1939 issue cycle plate. Appears to have been run with a "Pedestrian Slicer" on the front. EXTREMELY rare! None known to be in captivity. Please let us know if there are any known survivors. Picture courtesy of the Michigan State Police
*Motorcycle plate* *- 1990's* *Embossed Border* *TD = Training Division*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*Motorcycle plate* *- Current Issue* *Stepped Border* *TD = Training Division*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Michigan State Police Troopers Association booster plate. Blue and yellow-gold over reflective white. Introduced Spring of 2007
Michigan State Police Troopers Association booster plate. Picture courtesy of Bill Ceravola
National Troopers Coalition Conference issue. Embossed thin aluminum. Not DMV made.
Personalized passenger car plate Courtesy of Sgt Greg Sebring MSP (Ret)
Personalized passenger car plate commemorating the 86th recruit class. Courtesy of Sgt Greg Sebring MSP (Ret)