This week the Michigan State Police (MSP) is celebrating its 96th anniversary, and to honor the milestone, Governor Rick Snyder has declared this week Michigan State Police History Week.

In a statement, Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP, said "what started as a small cavalry of men has evolved into a complex, professional law enforcement agency responsible for not only general police investigative services and traffic control, but also forensic science services, statewide criminal justice records management and state homeland security and emergency management."

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, Governor Albert Sleeper created the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force, also known as the Michigan State Constabulary. On March, 26 1919, Public Act 26 reorganized the Constabulary as the permanent, peace time Michigan State Police. When the state adopted a new Constitution in 1963, authorizing up to 20 departments, Public Act 380 in 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 consists of nearly 2,500 enforcement and civilian members. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/msp.

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