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PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE

The Pennsylvania State Police was created by an Act of Legislature that was signed into law by Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker on May 2. 1905. It was the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States.

The original complement was limited by law to only 228 men. They were to patrol the entire 45.000 square miles of the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania State Police soon proved their worth by controlling mob violence, patrolling farm sections, protecting game and tracking down criminals. From the outset, the Pennsylvania State Police established a reputation for fairness, thoroughness and honesty.

In 1923, the State Highway Patrol was created within the Department of Highways. The State Highway Patrol was consolidated with the State Police in June 1937, and became known as the Pennsylvania Motor Police. In 1943, the name of the Department was restored to the Pennsylvania State Police.

As demands for police services increased over the years, the General Assembly authorized expansions in the complement. Today, the authorized strength of the Pennsylvania State Police is 4,157. In addition, some 1,200 civilians are employed by the Department.

The Pennsylvania State Police has jurisdiction in all, political subdivisions in the Commonwealth. Criminal investigation and administrative services consume approximately 40% of the total on-duty time of the State Police, while the remaining 60% is devoted to traffic and other public safety services.

The Accident Reconstruction Section of the Bureau of Patrol was created in April 1993. In December 1995, due to a reorganization, the section became the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit. It is comprised of a supervisor and clerical staff charged with addressing training and equipment needs of approximately 35 Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialists (CARS). The Unit also provides technical support and supervision, reviewing each submitted report for technical accuracy.

The Pennsylvania State Police became a participating organization of the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction in March 1994, after the Commissioner, Colonel Paul J. Evanko, determined that it was highly appropriate for the abilities of Department reconstructionists to be scrutinized by an independent entity within the profession. This was the beginning of a rededication to the field of collision investigation.

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