Texas Highway Patrol Shoulder Patches

• Texas Highway Patrol Offices

. Ron JoyParent agencyRegions7Districts19WebsiteThe Texas Highway Patrol is a division of the and is the largest state-level law enforcement agency in the U.S.

The patrol's primary duties are enforcement of state traffic laws and regulation, but it is a fully empowered police agency with authority to enforce criminal law anywhere in the state. Highway patrol troopers are also responsible for patrolling the state Capitol Complex in Austin and providing security to the. The current Chief is Ron Joy.The highway patrol was founded in 1929 as the Highway Motor Patrol, the first statewide law enforcement agency in Texas since the establishment of the in 1823, and the first such force to be uniformed and regularly trained.

Since 1935, the agency has operated under its current name. Since its inception with just 60 officers, then known as 'inspectors', the Texas Highway Patrol has grown to meet the increasing volume of vehicular traffic on Texas roads, modern security threats, and the requirements of twenty-first century policing, currently employing over 2,800 sworn troopers.The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and by extension the Highway Patrol, is Texas' de facto. Texas Highway Patrol car, circa 1953Early law enforcement in Texas began with the establishment of the in 1823. The Rangers were originally formed to protect American settlers from Indian attacks, and over the years transformed into a paramilitary force. Rangers fought in the,.

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They quickly developed an international reputation for their exploits and perceived fearlessness (Mexican soldiers nicknamed them 'Texas Devils' for their scouting and fighting abilities). From 1823 to 1845, they were a territorial force made up of volunteers charged with fighting Native Americans, guarding the Mexican border, and capturing thieves, murderers, and other criminals, occasionally by controversial methods. Nonetheless, it was not until the latter stages of the 19th century and the Texas cattle boom that the Rangers took on a law enforcement, rather than frontier, role.From 1845 (when Texas was annexed to the United States) until the early 20th century, the Rangers were the only form of state law enforcement available. The force was temporarily disbanded by the after the, and replaced with the short-lived. This agency lasted only three years before the Texas Rangers were reorganized. Until the introduction of the automobile, they remained the only state criminal law enforcement agency in Texas.The Texas Highway Patrol was established in 1929 as the Texas Highway Motor Patrol, tasked with enforcing traffic laws on Texas roads. The original force was made up of about 60 officers who patrolled on motorcycles, often in pairs.

Because of this, it was not uncommon for troopers to drive criminals to jail in the offenders' own cars, then return later for the motorcycle left on the side of the road. When the Texas Department of Public Safety was formed in 1935, the Highway Motor Patrol was transferred into that department and was renamed the Texas Highway Patrol. The use of motorcycles was phased out after, and cars became troopers' main mode of transportation. Two-way radio and teletype were also added in the late 1940s, allowing troopers to communicate with regional dispatch centers.

The Aviation Unit was established in 1949 with the purchase of a single-engine aircraft based in Austin.The 1960s saw some advances in technology, such as. Nevertheless, troopers' work was still mostly based on instinct and visual detection, and was often very hazardous. High-speed pursuits of were common, and troopers were required to act as 'storm chasers' for the because of the limited weather radar at the time.

Motorcycles were introduced again in the 1970s, but the idea was quickly abandoned when the bikes proved unreliable.Modern troopers use highly sophisticated technology to conduct their duties. Lets regional dispatch centers identify a patrol unit's exact location, and in-car computers (Mobile Data Terminals) allow troopers to receive knowledge of a person's background before ever approaching a vehicle. Troopers are increasingly armed with less-lethal weaponry, such as. The highway patrol was also one of the first agencies in Texas to use digital citation printers en masse.

These systems, mounted in the patrol car, allow traffic citations to be largely completed by scanning an offender's identification card into the Mobile Data Terminal. This innovation allows for quicker ticket writing and more legible citations.As of 2016, the Texas Highway Patrol employs 2,862 sworn troopers; this is an increase of 32% from the 2,162 troopers employed in 2014. Despite the size of the highway patrol and its unique name and function, however, many Texans refer to troopers simply as 'DPS', referencing the THP's parent agency. Some are unaware that an entity by the name of 'Texas Highway Patrol' even exists, or is distinct from its parent.Organization. Texas Highway Patrol inThe Texas Highway Patrol uses a variety of vehicles for patrol and specialized services. Early patrol units were motorcycles, but these were phased out in the 1950s. Since then, four-wheeled vehicles have been used for all patrol purposes; one trooper is assigned to each unit.Current patrol vehicles are painted black with a white hood, roof, and trunk.

Traditionally, the top of the doors were also white, but this practice is being abandoned with newer vehicles. 'Texas Department Public Safety' is printed on the front door over a brown silhouette of the state of Texas. Underneath, 'Texas Highway Patrol' is written in white; 'State Trooper' is written on the front quarter panel and on the trunk.The Texas Highway Patrol also utilizes helicopters, and marine craft for specialized functions, such as search and rescue, reconnaissance/intelligence, and border patrol. The Tactical Marine Division is the newest addition to the Highway Patrol, with the acquisition of six patrol vessels intended to police the Rio Grande and international lakes between the U.S. Several more boats are on order.In 2012, the Texas DPS decided to begin replacing its aging fleet of Ford Crown Victorias with Dodge Chargers. A small number of Ford's Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility vehicles were purchased for use mainly in the.Patrol Vehicles.Motorcycles.

R1200RT-P (Austin only)Aircraft. Helicopter. Helicopter. Fixed-WingMarine Craft. Texas Highway Patrol gunboats in the.

Yellowfin Shallow Water InterceptorS.R.T.Recruiting.Other Transportation. (Austin only). (Austin only)Equipment Prior to the chambered in troopers carried the chambered in or in.In 2013, Texas DPS officials announced that they would be switching to the Smith & Wesson M&P, 9-millimeter handgun as the standard-issue sidearm for troopers, due to higher round capacity over the SIG Sauer. Troopers already issued.357 sidearms would be allowed to continue using them. However, the transition was suspended after recruits at the A-2014 class, the first to train with the new weapons, reported functional concerns about the guns after repeated firing.In early 2015, the Texas Department of Public Safety completed the process of selecting a replacement for the SIG Sauer P226, selecting the, a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol chambered in 9-millimeter. The C-2015 recruit class was the first Texas DPS class to be issued and trained on the SIG Sauer P320 and, upon graduation in December 2015, became the first Troopers to carry this pistol in the field as a duty weapon.

Texas Highway Patrol Offices

The 9-millimeter ammunition selected for the SIG Sauer P320 was the Hornady 135 grain + P FlexLock Critical Duty. Other Texas DPS divisions, such as Aircraft and Criminal Investigations, will transition to the P320 over time.Additional weaponry includes the and the 12-gauge shotgun, which is currently being phased out for the. All firearms are state property and may not be modified by the troopers to whom they are issued. Less-lethal weapons issued to troopers includes expandable straight batons, and.Patrol cars are equipped with computer terminals and digital citation printers. Mounted lights are either the Freedom, in older units, or the Whelen Liberty lightbar, in newer units; the patrol's newest Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicles are equipped with Whelen Legacy lightbars. Four of the bar's eight forward-facing light modules are white 'takedown' lights; these are supplemented by column-mounted LED spotlights in newer vehicles. Warning lights are also mounted on the rear deck.

Primary light colors for all vehicles are red and blue.Salary and Promotions As of fiscal year 2010, troopers were being paid almost 20% less than officers in many municipal police departments, according to a state-conducted audit. Consequently, increased salaries for troopers were approved for 2014 by the 2013 Texas legislative session.Troopers are automatically upgraded to different trooper classes in four-year increments. Salary increases with each class, up to Trooper VI, at which point pay becomes and remains steady (barring promotion). Troopers are eligible for promotion to sergeant after four years of service. Promotion is based on availability and completion of a civil service exam, as well as experience and disciplinary history.

After two years as a sergeant, troopers are eligible for promotion to lieutenant.In September 2015, troopers received yet another sizable raise - an academy trainee makes more now than a 3-year trooper did a year prior. Response to 2010 Audit Many changes to salaries and promotional requirements were made in response to a 10% drop in the number of troopers between 2004 and 2010, when an audit was conducted. The audit determined that Highway Patrol troopers were being paid far less annually than officers at many metropolitan police departments. The problem had been present for many years, but had gone unresolved because the sets state employee salary, not individual agencies. Additionally, state agencies had been asked to cut approximately 10% of their budgets between 2010 and 2012, making lawmakers hesitant to approve a larger budget for DPS. However, many legislators also feared that the decrease in size of the DPS, which was predicted to worsen, would result in a gradual lapse in quality of service.

As a result, a 20% pay increase in the salary of most Texas DPS officials was approved in 2012. Additional legislative measures are intended to shield DPS from most future budget cuts.In previous years, troopers who received promotions were typically required to move to fill available posts throughout the state. However, concurrent with the legislative decision to increase trooper pay, an internal decision was made by the Texas DPS to relax this method, allowing troopers to have more say in where they are stationed upon being promoted. The decision was based on a trend of troopers being required to live hours away from their families in order to prevent their spouses from having to leave steady employment.DPS also made an effort to fill state trooper vacancies.

Recruitment efforts were increased across the country, particularly focusing on military members preparing to leave active duty. Recruiters traveled as far as, and in search of potential applicants.Demographics.

The History of the Missouri Highway Patrol Shoulder PatchThe Missouri State Highway Patrol was created by law September 14, 1931. The organization was modeled after the military and as such, adopted a military-style uniform bearing no shoulder patch.

In 1937 the Patrol began wearing the present shoulder patch on the left sleeve of the uniform blouse; in 1944 the shoulder patch was added to the left sleeve of the uniform shirt. The shoulder patch appeared on both sleeves of the shirt blouse, and new thermal jacket in 1977, and by 1980 the Patrol had added it to both shoulders of the parka.The design of the patch is depicted in gold trim on a blue field. Patrol’s uniforms are French blue.Centered on the patch is an abbreviated replica of the Official Seal of the state of Missouri. The central portion of the coat of arms is separated into two halves, the right side of which displays the coat of the United States, consisting of the eagle with arrows in its talons beneath a constellation of stars representing the states.In genealogy, quadrupeds are the most honorable bearers. The great grizzly bear being almost peculiar to the Missouri River and its tributaries, and remarkable for its prodigious size, strength, and courage, is borne in the lower left side of the division and is the principal charge of the Missouri shield. The color of the shield is red and denotes hardiness and valor.The crescent, in heraldry, is borne on the shield by the second son, and on the Missouri shield the crescent denotes that Missouri was the second state (Louisiana being the first) formed out of the territory not within the original territorial limits of the United States and admitted to the Union. The crescent also denotes the growing situation of this state as to inhabitants, wealth, power, etc.

The color blue on which the crescent rests signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.The coat of arms is surrounded by a band and bound by a buckle, denoting the connection existing between two governments and showing that, although connected by a compact, the state is independent as to internal concerns.Over the coat of arms proper is the crest, and, in this case, is a helmet full faced grated with six bars that represent strength, enterprise, and hardihood. The helmet, peculiarly on this coat of arms, is that assigned to sovereigns only.Finally, the seal is supported on each side by a Missouri grizzly bear, rampant guardant proper standing on a scroll inscribed with the motto, “Service and Protection.” From the Patrol’s creation, the members were constantly reminded their mission was to fairly and objectively enforce the law while treating people with dignity and respect and to provide “Service and Protection” to the people traveling the highways of the state of Missouri. On October 5, 1931 the first Highway Patrol recruit class began six weeks of intensive training at the St.

Louis Police Training Academy. Upon completion of training, each man was signed to one of six troops located in various parts of the state. They were given one week to prepare their move to their assigned locations. The six troop headquarters were: Troop A, Kansas City; Troop B, Macon; Troop C, Kirkwood; Troop D, Joplin; Troop E Sikeston; and Headquarters Troop, Jefferson City. A captain was placed in charge of each troop. The captain serving Jefferson City was not only the commander of Headquarters Troop, but the executive officer for the entire department.1931 Harley-DavidsonThe motor vehicle fleet for these first patrolmen consisted of 36 new Model A Ford Roadsters, a Ford sedan, a Plymouth sedan, and Oldsmobile, a Buick, three Chevrolets, and 12 Harley Davidson, three Indian, and two Henderson motorcycles.

The Roadsters, which cost $413.18 each, had twin Klaxon horns, a spotlight, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and an electric 'Patrol' sign behind the right side of the windshield. All vehicles had license plates with the words 'State Patrol' in bold letters but there were no decals on the sides.

None of the vehicles had sirens and there were no heaters in the cars.1931 Ford Model A1933The use of motorcycles for regular patrol was discontinued;1937 routine checks on Junction US. 54 and US 631940The Highway Patrol's Safety Squadron was organized in April. The squadron toured the state working traffic by selective enforcement and promoting traffic safety. The squadron fleet consisted of 13 white motorcycles, one white Ford coupe with house trailer, four white panel trucks and two white coaches.

Members of the squadron had radio communications with one another and the nearest troop headquarters.The Patrol Safety Squadron was organized in 19401940 Safety Squadron19491971Six Harley Davidson motorcycles were purchased in August 1971. They were used on special details such as fairs, parades, and for traffic control in congested areas.(Photo provided by Ward)(Photo provided by Ward)(Photo provided by Ward)197912 new Kawasaki 1000cc motorcycles were placed into service, increasing the motorcycle fleet to 18, with two assigned to each troop. Cyclist were instructed to work in pairs and use the bikes in enforcement in good weather and in daylight.1979 Kawasaki KZ 1000 (Photo provided by Ward)1979 Kawasaki KZ 1000 (Photo provided by Ward)1979 Kawasaki KZ 1000 (Photo provided by Ward)1979 Kawaski KZ 1000 Police.