Idaho State Police

Idaho State Police
AbbreviationISP
MottoCommitted to serving and protecting the lives, property, and constitutional rights of people in Idaho.
Agency overview
FormedFebruary 20, 1939;
85 years ago
 (1939-02-20)[1]
Preceding agency
  • Bureau of Constabulary
    May 18, 1919;
    105 years ago
     (1919-05-18)
    (dissolved in 1923)
Employees700+ full and part time
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionIdaho, US
ISP Patrol Districts
Size83,642 square miles (216,630 km2)
Population1,716,943 (2017 est.)[2]
Constituting instrument
  • Idaho State Code
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersMeridian, Idaho
Commissioned Troopers379 (as of 2024)
Professional Civilian Staffs278 full-time (as of 2024)
Agency executive
  • Colonel Bill Gardiner, Director
Child agency
  • Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)

    Idaho Racing Commission

    State Brands Inspector
Facilities
Districts6
Website
isp.idaho.gov

The Idaho State Police (ISP) is the statewide law enforcement agency for the State of Idaho. It began as the Bureau of Constabulary, created on May 18, 1919,[1] under the new Department of Law Enforcement, to detect and investigate crime, "order abatement of public nuisances and to enforce such orders by appropriate court action, to suppress riots, prevent wrongs to children and animals that are inhibited by law." The state constabulary was also charged with the organization of various state, county and municipal peace officers.[3] The bureau was dissolved by the state legislature in 1923.[1]

The Idaho State Police was formed 85 years ago in 1939, when Governor C. A. Bottolfsen signed the bill on February 20.[1][4]

  1. ^ a b c d "Idaho State Police makes wishes on 50th birthday". Idahonian. Moscow. Associated Press. February 21, 1989. p. 5A.
  2. ^ "US Census; Retrieved 2018-04-19". 2017 Population Estimates
  3. ^ State Trooper: America's State Troopers and Highway Patrolmen. Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing Company/National Troopers Coalition. 2001. ISBN 1-56311-613-8.
  4. ^ "Governor signs measure creating police force". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. February 21, 1939. p. 1.