David Duchesneau
About the New Hampshire State Police
According to the New Hampshire State Police, "On July 9, 1869, Governor Stearns
was presented with a hand written piece of legislation that would eventually
lead to the formation of the New Hampshire State Police. The legislation,
entitled "An Act to Create a State Police in Certain Cases," outlined just what
would constitute the proposed State Police. During this historical period, the
various local law enforcement authorities chose not to promote compliance with
the liquor laws. Therefore, one of the primary functions of the proposed
legislation was the enforcement of these "anti-drinking" laws by the State
Police.
During the first year of 1937, the New Hampshire State Police established its
headquarters in the State House. At that time, the initial ranks were comprised
of individuals who had been members of the uniformed branch of the New Hampshire
Motor Vehicle Department and criminal investigators then employed through the
State Attorney Generals office. The first Superintendent of the Department of
State Police was George Colbath, the Sheriff of Coos County. During 1937 the
complement of troopers reached an authorized forty-eight men. In 1962, the New
Hampshire State Police became a division of the newly developed New Hampshire
Department of Safety."
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