OHIO – Ohio State Highway Patrol celebrates 85 years of service to the Ohio community. Back in 1917 government agencies sought to create a form of state wide police force that could enforce vehicle laws across Ohio roadways. This wasn’t without scrutiny as many union labor feared that this new law enforcement would infringe on union strikes and union unrest. In 1933 Ohio State Highway Patrol was formed with the agreement that they would not be involved in policing strikes.
Thousands of people applied for the 60 man job, with requirements of 24-40 years of age. Six original districts were established to cover the state, Toledo, Ravenna, Sidney, Delaware, Cambridge, and Chillicothe. To be a Ohio State Patrolman in those days meant you needed to be tough, as they only drove motorcycles even in the middle of winter.
According to History.com, “During its first year of existence, the OSHP accomplished much. First, the Patrol succeeded in creating a statewide radio network, allowing law enforcement officials to communicate with each other across Ohio. For the time, it was the most comprehensive radio system in the United States. The OSHP also cited more than 120,000 drivers and made 4,233 arrests.”
As of 2012 the population of Highway Patrol has grown from the original 60 to 2521, with 1,531 troopers and 991 support. During the history of the Patrol Forty One men have lost their lives in the line of duty. To learn more about highway patrol click here
Today State Highway Patrol aims at traffic enforcement and criminal patrol. The patrol aims at drug interdiction and apprehension of criminals on state highways.
