The Massachusetts State Police (MSP) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, responsible for law enforcement and vehicle regulation across the state. As of 2022, it has 2,067 sworn troopers and 611 civilian support staff for a total of 2,678 personnel, making it the largest law enforcement agency in New England. The MSP is headed by Interim Lieutenant Colonel Jack Mawn.
History
The MSP was established by Massachusetts state governor John A. Andrew when he signed a law creating the State Constabulary on May 16, 1865. This legislative act to "establish a State Police Force", founded the first statewide enforcement agency in the nation. The first leader of the State Police was William Sterling King, an American officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The agency remained small and rather informal until 1921, when the MSP was enlarged to comprise 50 officers stationed in barracks across the state with the primary mission of providing law enforcement to rural areas underserved by existing local police agencies. This law enforcement mission was performed by the trooper on horseback, usually, and in motor cars in areas with upgraded roads. The MSP enlarged its mission to handle primary vehicular regulation on the Commonwealth's interstate and limited-access highways after their development mid-century; during this period, it also established a presence in protecting Logan International Airport.
For much of the twentieth century, the MSP was organized along military lines with a heavy emphasis on the role of the barracks, spartan working conditions, and a uniformity in appearance and internal culture. Until recently, the MSP maintained one of the strictest regimens for physical size requirements for applicants. Efforts are being made presently to render the department more racially diverse, as well as more inclusive of women and LGBT troopers.
The history of the agency is preserved at the Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center in Whitinsville. The museum was made possible by private donations from MSP troopers and employees. The museum, originally intended to be located at the site of the former Troop C2 barracks, was relocated to a building in Whitinsville after a fire damaged a portion of the old barracks building in 2017. Exhibits at the museum include:
Restored 1931, 1941, 1951, 1978 Ford cruisers
Motorcycles, including a 1951 Indian
State Police Weapons (past & present) Historical uniforms, hats and artifacts Harvard riot photos and riot equipment Mounted police equipment and other equine related items Original teletype machine The first computer and Mobile Data Terminals used by the MSP Historic daily station logs President John F. Kennedy photos and memorabilia Nostalgic badges and patches
Since the MSP's inception, 47 officers from the Massachusetts State Police and its former agencies which made up its ranks, were killed in the line of duty. The earliest death was in 1909 and the latest death was March 3, 2022.
As of 2011 troopers have started carrying the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol in .45 ACP. Prior troopers carried the SIG Sauer P226 DAK (Double Action Kellerman) in .40 S&W, prior to those the agency issued the SIG Sauer P226 in 9mm from the early 1990s. During the 1980s the .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 65 was issued to the troopers. As for off-duty and special assignments different weapons were issued, and during the 1980s a common weapon was the .38 Special Smith & Wesson Bodyguard revolver. During the 1960s and 1970s the MSP issued the Walther PPK as a special assignment weapon.
As of 2023, the MSP is replacing the Smith & Wesson M&P45 .45 ACP handguns with the SIG Sauer P320 chambered in 9mm. The P320 comes equipped with a Romeo1 Red-Dot optic and a Night Stick 550XL Flashlight attached. The P320 is also set on the X-Series frame as well.
In November 2019, Superintendent Gilpin announced her retirement as colonel of the Massachusetts State police after two years in the position.