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.[4] The bureau was dissolved by the state legislature in 1923.[1]
The Idaho State Police was formed 85 years ago in 1939, when GovernorC. A. Bottolfsen signed the bill on February 20.[1][5]
Divisions
The Idaho State Police is divided geographically into six districts, with headquarters (and training facility) in Meridian, west of Boise. District offices (1–3) are located in Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, and Meridian. District offices (4–6) are located in Jerome, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls.[6] Each district has a different captain and command staff, are managed separately and are overseen by a major. Each district has two divisions; patrol and investigations.
The patrol division consists of uniformed state troopers who enforce the laws of Idaho. Commonly, a trooper will spend their time enforcing motor vehicle laws while on duty, primarily on state and federal highways.
Investigation
The investigation division consists of plainclothes detectives who enforce the laws of Idaho. The Idaho State Police detectives investigate major crimes such as homicide and large scale drug-related offenses.
Other divisions
The Alcohol Beverage Control division ensures all establishments which sell or produce alcohol are properly licensed and conform to the law. The Idaho State Liquor Dispensary maintains a monopoly on the sale of all alcoholic beverages that exceed 16% alcohol by volume. The ABC enforces Title 23 - Alcoholic Beverages IDAPA 11 Title 05 Chapter 01.
Commercial Vehicle Specialists are specially trained uniformed officers who enforce federal and state laws pertaining to the safety of commercial trucking.
The Cyber Crimes Unit specializes in crimes involving computers and the internet.
The Bureau of Criminal Identification maintains the states fingerprint database.