Happy 99th Birthday, MSP.

MSP #ShoeboxMemory photo shows the mounted detachment of the First Troop in 1917.

HART — The Michigan State Police (MSP) will celebrate its 99th birthday, April 19, and to honor this milestone Gov. Rick Snyder has declared April 17-23, 2016, as Michigan State Police History Week.

“For nearly 100 years, the Michigan State Police has served our state with excellence and integrity, providing the highest quality law enforcement and public safety services,” stated Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “As we celebrate our 99th birthday, we’re turning our focus to our centennial by launching the ‘One Year to 100’ campaign that will allow us to reflect on our rich history and traditions, as well as how the department has evolved into today’s multifaceted, professional law enforcement agency providing statewide policing services.”  

During the week of April 17-23, historical facts highlighting milestones and significant events from the department’s 99 years of service will be shared on MSP social media accounts using the hashtag, ‪#‎OneYearTo100‬. To follow MSP on social media, go to www.michigan.gov/mspconnect.

The MSP’s roots date back to World War I when the department began as a temporary, wartime emergency force for the purpose of domestic security.  

On April 19, 1917, Gov. Albert Sleeper created the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force, also known as the Michigan State Constabulary. With Col. Roy C. Vandercook as the first commanding officer, this new force consisted of five troops of mounted, dismounted and motorized units.

On March 26, 1919, Public Act 26 reorganized the Constabulary as the permanent, peacetime Michigan State Police.  When Michigan adopted a new Constitution in 1963, authorizing up to 20 departments, Public Act 380 of 1965 reorganized the MSP as one of these departments. The director of the MSP holds the rank of colonel and is appointed by the governor.

Today, the MSP is a modern-day, full-service law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction consisting of approximately 2,800 enforcement and civilian members. For more information on the MSP, visit www.michigan.gov/msp.