West Virginia State Police

West Virginia State Police
The West Virginia State Police was established in 1919 by an act of the West Virginia Legislature. The WVSP operated under the Department of Public Safety. Like the state which it serves, the WVSP was born in an era of political unrest and domestic violence. Labor strikes in the coal industry, political activism, cultural intolerance were at a peak just after World War 1, and a solid and organized force was needed to prevent the Mountain State from descending into anarchy. The initial recruitment of the first WVSP candidates leaned heavily on honorably discharged war veterans. Each new trooper was initially required to bring his World War I uniform when he reported for enlistment hence the historical similarity between the WVSP uniform and the U.S. Marine Corps uniform and the U.S. Army campaign hat of the Great War. Troop names were titled "Companies" as well, and the rank structure, including the rank of "private" was used by the WVSP. The mandate of the WVSP was to also address motor vehicle and traffic law.A state roads bureau report of 1914 alleged that West Virginia had "the worst roads in the United States." The WVSP therefore relied heavily on horses with most of its mobility matters in these early days. Each company headquarters was allocated a touring car, to be used for transporting bulky supplies and for quick dispatch of troopers where suitable roads did exist. But during this same period (1920-1921), 36 prize horses were also added to the department's inventory. By 1921, the WVSP had a 47% increase in its ranks with 286 officers. The "Mine Wars" of the 1920's kept WVSP troopers busy with so much deadly violence taking place between disenfranchised miners and their employers. Patrol vehicle safety was enhanced in 1966 by retrofit of padded dash and visors, seat belts, high speed tires, and non-glare mirrors. Specifications for a heavy duty, air conditioned patrol vehicle were drawn up the following year. At the end of June 1969, the WVSP stood at 341 members, By 1972, the WVSP had received a new Bell 206/B helicopter to create the new Aviation Division for traffic and criminal enforcement matters, search and rescue and transportation in medical emergencies. In 1995, the WVSP became a "stand alone" state police force, away and apart from the West Virginia DPS. More recently, the WVSP has been comprised of 630 sworn officers operating from five companies and 61 detachments. The WVSP is recognized as the 4th oldest state police agency in the U.S..
West Virginia State Flag A white field is bordered in dark blue. West Virginia's flag displays a rock containing the date June 20, 1863, the day West Virginia became a state. The two men represent farming and mining. Below them are two rifles with a "Liberty Cap" on top the rifles. A banner ribbon includes the state motto " Mountainiers Are Always Free". Around the picture are a wreath of rhododendren and the name of the state on a red ribbon.
Mid 1930's- Circa 1940 issue. Embossed steel with debossed border (Approx 5 3/8" x 11 3/4"). These license plates were originally used by the Virginia State Police from 1928 to 1932 and subsequently given to the WVSP for use on their patrol cars (See Virginia State Police Page). Courtesy of the Wayne Tyler Collection	Picture courtesy of the West Virginia State Police
1940's issue. Embossed steel (Approx 5.5" x 12"). Some versions were observed to be black over white, however two period photographs showed white over black as this one.
1950's issue. Embossed steel (Approx 5.5" x 12") Picture courtesy of the West Virginia State Police
*1964-1968 issue. Embossed galvanized steel. Reflective sheeting. WEST VIRGINIA in large dies.*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1965-1970's issue. Embossed galvanized steel. Duller reflective sheeting. MOUNTAIN STATE slogan.*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1980-1989 issue. Flat screened sign grade aluminum. No Company Letter= Headquarters. State name small.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1980-1989 issue. Flat screened sign grade aluminum. A= Shinnston Company	Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
1989-1990's issue. Flat screened heavy gauge aluminum.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1990's unknown issue. Possibly a replacement plate. Very thin aluminum painted yellow on backside.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1990-1996 issue. Embossed aluminum. Embossed painted border. WVSP emblem screened. HQ Plate. Picture courtesy of Don Farley
1990-1996 issue. Embossed aluminum. Embossed painted border. WVSP emblem screened. A= Shinnston Company. Earlier versions of this issue were flat screened-no embossing.	Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
1996-2000. Embossed aluminum.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
2000-2005. Embossed aluminum. Assigned to Colonel Howard E. Hill Jr., Superintendent of the WVSP at that time. Only SP and 1 are embossed. Remainder is screened. Band along bottom of plate with STATE POLICE is a decal.
2000-2005. Embossed aluminum. A different version of this plate with the WVSP website address below the top banner and above the number, and another version with STATE POLICE in larger font.
*Current Issue* Picture courtesy of Joe Sallmen
Mid 50's issue. Front plate. Embossed steel. Picture courtesy of the West Virginia State Police
1964-1968 issue. Front plate. Embossed steel. Reflective sheeting.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1970's issue. Front plate. Flat screened sign grade aluminum. Reflective sheeting.*	Photo Courtesy of Monty McCord
Late 1970's front plate. Heavy gauge aluminum.	Picture courtesy of the West Virginia State Police
1980's-1990's issue . Front plate. Flat screened aluminum. Embossed painted border.	Picture courtesy of Don Farley
1996-2000 Front plate Picture courtesy of Don Farley	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*Front plate circa 2001* Courtesy of the Bob Bruce Collection	Courtesy of Robert Clinedinst
Front plate circa 2004 - Larger font for STATE POLICE Courtesy of the Bob Bruce Collection
Current Front plate. Flat screened aluminum with trooper patch.
*Optional front plate* Courtesy of the Bob Bruce Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*National Troopers Coalition Conference issue* Picture courtesy of Don Farley
Mid 1930's- Circa 1940 motorcycle issue. Embossed steel with embossed border. These license plates were originally used by the Virginia State Police from 1928 to 1932 and subsequently given to the WVSP for use on their patrol cycles (See Virginia State Police Page). Courtesy of Wayne Tyler Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Circa 1940's/early 1950's aluminum door seal. Once fastened to patrol car door. Reflective material. Found with 1940's-era plate #137 featured above.
Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein