Minnesota State Patrol


The Minnesota State Patrol is the primary highway patrol agency for Minnesota and serves as the de facto state police for the state. While Minnesota State Patrol troopers have full powers of arrest throughout the state, their primary function is traffic and vehicle law enforcement. The State Patrol is a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

History

The Minnesota Highway Patrol was created in 1929 when Charles M. Babcock, the Commissioner of Highways, appointed Earl Brown, Sheriff of Hennepin County, as Chief of the Highway Patrol. On July 1, 1929, Chief Brown appointed 8 officers. In 1973 the Highway Patrol was reorganized and the official name was changed to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The first training school was held January 18 to April 1, 1930. This school graduated the first 35 members of the Minnesota Highway Patrol.
According to Bellingcat the Minnesota State Patrol was among the police departments which deliberately targeted journalists during the George Floyd protests.

The patch

The patch worn by members of the Minnesota State Patrol evolved from "The Great Seal" which is placed on all official state documents.

Notable incidents

In late May 2020, the Minnesota State Patrol was involved in policing the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul. The State Patrol slashed tyres of unoccupied vehicles parked near protests, admitting their involvement around a week later.

Duties

While the State Patrol concentrates primarily on traffic enforcement and highway safety it also has a statewide law enforcement role. Troopers are also involved with accident reconstruction and commercial vehicle enforcement. The State Patrol capitol security division also handles the security for the Minnesota State Capitol complex and the Governor. Additionally, the State Patrol maintains a K-9 unit that focuses on drug enforcement interdiction, as well as a Special Response Team, that operates like a traditional SWAT Team. Troopers are issued the Glock 17 Gen 5 9mm Luger sidearm and have Safariland 6360 Level 3 holsters.

Organization

The State Patrol is headquartered in St. Paul. There are 11 Patrol Districts throughout the state, with 61 Patrol Stations. The current State Patrol Chief is Colonel Matthew Langer. Each district office is led by a Captain and is staffed with troopers and investigators, along with communication and support staff to assist in the patrol's missions. The Headquarters and State Patrol Command Staff are within District 2000, along with the Flight Section, Investigative Services Section, and Training & Development.

Patrol Districts

State Patrol Chief

Since 1929, the State Patrol has been commanded by the State Patrol Chief, who has the rank of Colonel. The Colonel reports directly to the Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety, who is appointed by the Governor and serves in the Governor's Cabinet. In 1997, Anne L. Beers was appointed Chief of the State Patrol, as the first woman to hold the rank of Commander of a State Police Agency in U.S. The following is a list of those that have held the title of State Patrol Chief:
NameYear
Earle Brown1929–1933
John Arnoldy1933–1938
Martin Murray1938–1939
Eldon Row1939–1945
Earl E. Larimer1945–1954
Paul R. Martz1954–1960
Leo M. Smith1960–1966
John S. Harbinson1966–1973
James C. Crawford1973–1979
D. Roger Ledding1979–1989
Kevin L. Kittridge1989–1991
Anthony Kozojed1991–1993
Mike P. Chabries1993–1997
Anne L. Beers1997–2005
Steve Mengelkoch2005
Mark Dunaski2005–2011
Kevin Daly2011-2015
Matt Langer2015–present

Rank Structure

Note: Each state patrol district station has 1 sergeant who oversees all station operations. The official field supervisors throughout the district are lieutenants.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Minnesota State Patrol, eight officers have died while on duty.
RankNameDate of DeathCause of DeathAgeLocation
TrooperWilliam S. Kozlak04-25-1934Killed in a motorcycle crash32On Minnesota Highway 52 near Osseo, Minnesota
TrooperRoy C. Lichtenheld10-03-1934Killed in a motorcycle crash30On Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota
TrooperRay X.F. Krueger11-20-1959Killed in a head-on car crash47On Minnesota Highway 210 near Brainerd, Minnesota
TrooperGlen A. Skalman12-27-1964Succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on 12-17-1964 during a traffic stop29On I-35 near Forest Lake, Minnesota
TrooperDonald Bert Ziesmer10-15-1973Shot and killed while sitting in his patrol car on a traffic stop46On Minnesota Highway 61 along the north shore of Lake Superior
TrooperRoger Curtis Williams02-22-1978Struck and killed by an out-of-control vehicle while helping a motorist change a flat tire53On I-94 near Brandon, Minnesota
CorporalTimothy Joseph Bowe06-07-1997Shot and killed as he and 3 county deputies approached a house where a shooting was reported3610 miles east of Cambridge, Minnesota in Chisago County
CorporalTheodore Joseph "Ted" Foss08-31-2000Struck and killed by a tractor trailer while on a traffic stop35On I-90 near Lewiston, Minnesota