Minnesota State Patrol

Minnesota State Patrol
The Minnesota State Highway Patrol was formed in 1929, as there was a need for an agency with statewide jurisdiction in traffic enforcement. The original force was comprised of 35 men at a salary of $120 per month. These new troopers also had to furnish their own motorcycles for patrol! From 1929 to 1969, the MSHP was under the control of the Minnesota Department of Highways. 1931 saw the ranks of the Patrol increase to 70 officers and the second academy was held. Ford Model A's were used for patrolling in the winter months and motorcycles were used primarily at all other times in those early days. The Patrol adopted the maroon and gold colors of the University of Minnesota, and the tradition has been maintained ever since. By 1941, the Patrol was up to 126 men, and by 1955 that number jumped to 255, and then 330 by 1957. In 1967, the MSHP became part of the newly created Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and the manpower was up to 458 officers. Up until 1971, MSHP authority extended only to crimes committed on state trunk highways. That year, jurisdiction was given to the Patrol to arrest for crimes committed in their presence anywhere in the state. In 1974, the name Minnesota State Patrol became the official by dropping the word "Highway" from the monicker. In 1986, District 4700 commenced operation which was the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. Today, the Minnesota State Patrol is comprised of 11 patrol districts located in Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, Oakdale, Golden Valley, St. Cloud, Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Virginia, and Thief River Falls. Each District is divided into geographic work areas referred to as "stations". There are a total of 61 stations throughout the state. The State Patrol has 810 total personnel, of which 522 are uniformed and 288 are civilian.
Minnesota State Flag The Minnesota state flag is royal blue, with a gold fringe. In the center of the flag is the state seal. Around the state seal is a wreath of the state flower, the lady slipper. Three dates are woven into the wreath: 1858, the year Minnesota became a state; 1819, the year Fort Snelling was established; and 1893, the year the official flag was adopted. Nineteen stars ring the wreath. The largest star represents Minnesota.
1936-1938 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs for State Patrol. Courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1948-1950 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs	Picture courtesy of the Minnesota State Patrol
1951-1953 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs. This longer 5 digit plate (5.75"x13") uses a lighter shade of green and was confirmed as MSP used.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1951-1953 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs. Smaller version	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1954-1956 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs.	Picture courtesy of Trooper Eddie Carroll - Minnesota State Patrol
1957-1959 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs.	Picture courtesy of the Minnesota State Patrol
1960-1962 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1963-1965 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1966-1968 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1969-1971 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1972-1974 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1975-circa 1979 issue- Multi-year tax exempt plates with no known reserved number blocs.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
In October of 1979, a joint task force between the MSP and the Minnesota Department of Transportation was developed to help reduce excessive speeding on Minnesota's highways. By March 11 1980, two teams of 10 Troopers and two Sergeants were selected to the assignment dubbed "PROJECT 20" which was based on the number of dedicated troopers to the program. These special license plates were issued to participating Troopers which resembled regular Minnesota passenger plates of the day but with PROJECT 20 silkscreened where embossed characters would normally go. Validation decal boxes are covered with blue adhesive decals. These plates were run on the assigned patrol vehicles until September 22 1981 when the project officially wrapped- up. Plate courtesy of the Mike Morgan Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Circa 1979-Circa 1983 issue- Flat screened aluminum. Most of these plates have markings done in black felt-tip marker on the backside with "SP" and 3 numbers being the trooper's badge number. On the back of this plate, it reads; SP453. Below that, is a 5 digit number which is the "Squad Number". On this plate it reads "49120". The number 4 is always the first number as it was the state accounting code designation for the State Patrol. The next digit signifies the year of the assigned patrol car. On this plate, the 9 would indicate this plate was issued to a 1979 patrol car. The last number is the issuance sequence number, in this case, 120.	Picture courtesy of Mike Morgan
Circa 1983-1987 issue- Galvanized steel with painted embossed border	Picture courtesy of the Minnesota State Patrol
1987-1988 issue- "Plain Jane" Galvanized steel- Step border	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1988-Circa 1991 issue- Embossed state shape.*
*Rare early 1990 issue- Embossed galvanized steel with state name. Unknown how long these were used.*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1991-circa 1999 issue- Galvanized steel with painted embossed border- shoulder emblem decal
2000- Current issue- Aluminum with step border- shoulder emblem decal
75th Anniversary plate
2006 issue front plate	Picture courtesy of Mike Morgan
*Special vanity license plate for restored Minn SP motorcycle* Picture courtesy of Mike Morgan
*National Trooper Coalition souvenir issue* Courtesy of the Bob Bruce Collection