California State Police
Encyclopedia
The California State Police was a security police
agency founded in 1887 which served to protect the State Capitol Building
, the Governor
and other state agencies located throughout the state. They provided police
services to all state agencies that did not have their own police force. They patrolled the State Water Project (also known as the California Aqueduct
) and were the state's unofficial capitol police
. They provided dignitary protection for the Governor
and other state officials as directed, included the California Supreme Court's main building in San Francisco. They provided investigative services to elected officials through their Threat Assessment Detail and criminal investigations through the Bureau of Investigative Services. They also performed tax seizures for the California Franchise Tax Board. It was merged with the California Highway Patrol
in 1995.
Most California residents didn't know of the CSP's existence until the July 1995 merger was announced; the only visible presence was usually at the State Capitol or at all offices of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (there was usually an officer patrolling the parking lots of these offices, or inside their lobbies).
The patrol cars used by the CSP (in the final years of its existence) were mainly Chevrolets or Fords (but were originally an all-Dodge or Plymouth fleet), painted white with three bold lines along the sides (dark green/gold/dark green) with the words "State Police" on the trunk lid.
The official shoulder patch was simple: a green shield w/ gold borders, the words (gold lettering) "CALIFORNIA STATE POLICE" on top, the State Capitol building's dome and the state flag prominently featured;in 1987, there was an additional banner on the bottom proclaiming "100 Years of Service".
At the time of the merger, the CSP was the oldest state law enforcement agency performing "general law enforcement" in the state of California
.
Unlike the other 48 states, the title used was always "officer" (like the CHP), never "trooper".
The last Chief of the CSP was long-time Sacramento County Sheriff (1971–1983) Duane Lowe.
. The Rangers' mission was to capture the notorious gang leader Joaquin Murrieta
. Joaquin Murrieta was captured, shot, killed and beheaded by Capt. Harry Love at the Arroyo Cantua. The California State Rangers were then disbanded. On March 15, 1887, the California State Legislature
authorized a law enforcement body with Captain Harry Love and one other ranger, as its sole members to protect the State Capitol and grounds. They were paid $100.00 monthly and grew to a force of 12 officers. In 1911 the legislature approved more positions, uniforms, and defined the department giving it the official name of, "California State Capitol Police". Eventually as the department grew and its duties expanded, the word "Capitol" was dropped from the agency's name.
The California State Constitution prohibits a state-wide general law enforcement agency; thus, the California State Police were not a general law enforcement agency. In California, the County Sheriff maintains the Constitutional general law enforcement authority.
Security police
In some countries, including the United States, security police are those persons, employed by or for a governmental agency, who provide police and security services to those agencies' properties....
agency founded in 1887 which served to protect the State Capitol Building
California State Capitol
The California State Capitol is home to the government of California. The building houses the bicameral state legislature and the office of the governor....
, the Governor
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
and other state agencies located throughout the state. They provided police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
services to all state agencies that did not have their own police force. They patrolled the State Water Project (also known as the California Aqueduct
California Aqueduct
The Governor Edmund G. Brown California Aqueduct is a system of canals, tunnels, and pipelines that conveys water collected from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and valleys of Northern- and Central California to Southern California. The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the...
) and were the state's unofficial capitol police
Capitol police
Capitol police in the United States are agencies charged with the provision of security police services for various state agencies, but especially State Legislatures. Capitol police may function as part of the state police or may be an independent agency...
. They provided dignitary protection for the Governor
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
and other state officials as directed, included the California Supreme Court's main building in San Francisco. They provided investigative services to elected officials through their Threat Assessment Detail and criminal investigations through the Bureau of Investigative Services. They also performed tax seizures for the California Franchise Tax Board. It was merged with the California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
in 1995.
Most California residents didn't know of the CSP's existence until the July 1995 merger was announced; the only visible presence was usually at the State Capitol or at all offices of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (there was usually an officer patrolling the parking lots of these offices, or inside their lobbies).
The patrol cars used by the CSP (in the final years of its existence) were mainly Chevrolets or Fords (but were originally an all-Dodge or Plymouth fleet), painted white with three bold lines along the sides (dark green/gold/dark green) with the words "State Police" on the trunk lid.
The official shoulder patch was simple: a green shield w/ gold borders, the words (gold lettering) "CALIFORNIA STATE POLICE" on top, the State Capitol building's dome and the state flag prominently featured;in 1987, there was an additional banner on the bottom proclaiming "100 Years of Service".
At the time of the merger, the CSP was the oldest state law enforcement agency performing "general law enforcement" in the state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Unlike the other 48 states, the title used was always "officer" (like the CHP), never "trooper".
The last Chief of the CSP was long-time Sacramento County Sheriff (1971–1983) Duane Lowe.
History
The agency traces to 1854 when the state legislature authorized a law enforcement body called the California State RangersCalifornia State Rangers
The California Rangers, or the California State Rangers, was California's first state wide law enforcement agency formed in 1853 to deal with the outlaw gangs troubling the Gold Country during the early 1850s. The force was disbanded following the success in suppressing the Five Joaquins gang...
. The Rangers' mission was to capture the notorious gang leader Joaquin Murrieta
Joaquin Murrieta
Joaquin Carrillo Murrieta , also called the Mexican or Chilean Robin Hood or the Robin Hood of El Dorado, was a semi-legendary figure in California during the California Gold Rush of the 1850s...
. Joaquin Murrieta was captured, shot, killed and beheaded by Capt. Harry Love at the Arroyo Cantua. The California State Rangers were then disbanded. On March 15, 1887, the California State Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
authorized a law enforcement body with Captain Harry Love and one other ranger, as its sole members to protect the State Capitol and grounds. They were paid $100.00 monthly and grew to a force of 12 officers. In 1911 the legislature approved more positions, uniforms, and defined the department giving it the official name of, "California State Capitol Police". Eventually as the department grew and its duties expanded, the word "Capitol" was dropped from the agency's name.
The California State Constitution prohibits a state-wide general law enforcement agency; thus, the California State Police were not a general law enforcement agency. In California, the County Sheriff maintains the Constitutional general law enforcement authority.