• Slideshow Featured Content

    • 150th Anniversary

      MSP 150th Anniversary

      May 16, 2015 marked the 150th anniversary of the Massachusetts State Police. Click the image above to explore some of the history and tradition of the oldest State Police Department in the nation.

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    • Pipes and Drums

      MSP Pipes and Drums

      The MSP Pipes and Drums at the Swearing in of Colonel McKeon.

      This year is the 20th Anniversary of the MSP Pipes and Drums. 1995-2015.

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    • K-9 Training

      MSP K-9 Unit

      The K-9 Unit performs numerous functions throughout the Commonwealth.Click to see more about the unit.

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    • K-9 Nero remembered

      K-9 Tribute

      Click here to access the State Police K-9 Tribute Page.

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    • Massachusetts State Police Mounted Unit

      MSP Mounted Unit

      The MSP Mounted Unit at the Annual 4th of July Celebration at the Esplanade in Boston. The Mounted Unit is based out of Acton. Click to read more.

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    • Marine Unit Patrol

      MSP Marine Unit

      The Marine Unit has primary patrol responsibility for the Charles and Mystic rivers, Harbor Islands, Logan Airport and Massport properties in the Boston Inner Harbor

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    • MSP Museum

      MSP Museum and Learning Center

      Come celebrate the 150th anniversary of the MSP with the Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center at 44 Worcester St. in Grafton.

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  • French & Electric Blue, October 2016

    October 2016

    The October edition opens with the Colonel's Message on the tragic death of Brian Tower and members of his family. The 30th Reading of the Roll at the Law Enforcement Memorial and the 33rd Hanna Awards are covered. 'The Bulletproof Mind' seminar put on by LtCol David Grossman and the Crime Lab Plane Pull articles are next. The monthly Massachusetts State Police Museum & Learning Center piece gives us more of our rich history. Closing out the issue are coverage of the escort of the 9/11 NEVER FORGET Exhibit, information on recruitment efforts and the new Massachusetts license plates in support of the SPAM Benevolent Fund.

  • Celebrating 150 Years of State Policing 1865 - 2015

    150th black and white photo

    On Saturday May 16, 2015, the Massachusetts State Police proudly celebrates its 150th anniversary as the oldest state police agency in the United States.

    In the 1800's the common title for police officers was constable. The Massachusetts State Police traces its origins directly through legislature to the Massachusetts State Constabulary, the first statewide police agency in the nation. The creation of the State Constabulary was signed into law on May 16, 1865 by Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrews. The establishment of a State Police Force in 1865 was unprecedented in this country, but the Massachusetts legislation creating the statewide force would eventually be adopted in various forms throughout our great nation. In fact, 49 States currently have a state policing agency, with Hawaii being the only exception as the Sherriff's Division of the Hawaii Department of Public Safety provides the statewide police services.

    There are different forms of State Police Agencies across the country today. Eighteen states use a Highway Patrol, with a primary function of, in accordance with their name, patrolling the highways. Seven states use a State Patrol, with a primary role of traffic enforcement, but in most states, duties are broadened to assisting with prison riots and other large scale support within the state.  Twenty-two states use the term State Police, which most often encompasses a full service police agency with a broad range of specializations. Some of the State Police Agencies do more, or in some cases less, than what is provided here as a general overview.

    The Massachusetts State Police 150th Anniversary

    To read more about the history of the Massachusetts State Police, click the link in the slideshow above, or the link above.