• Half Off Deals
  • UPickEm
  • Contests
  • Binge Watch News
  • Watch Last Newscast
  • Watch Live
WVII / Fox Bangor Logo WVII / Fox Bangor
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National News
    • Newscast
    • Community Events
    • News Team Bios
  • Weather
  • Sports
    • Local Sports
    • National Sports
  • Features
    • Weekend Warriors
    • Watch ABC
    • Live Interview
    • Mr. Food
    • Healthy ME
    • Grow with Good Morning Maine
    • Class of 2020
  • Programming
  • Contact
    • Contact Information
    • Employment
    • Request Local News Talent
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National News
    • Newscast
    • Community Events
    • News Team Bios
  • Weather
  • Sports
    • Local Sports
    • National Sports
  • Features
    • Weekend Warriors
    • Watch ABC
    • Live Interview
    • Mr. Food
    • Healthy ME
    • Grow with Good Morning Maine
    • Class of 2020
  • Programming
  • Contact
    • Contact Information
    • Employment
    • Request Local News Talent
  • Half Off Deals
  • UPickEm
  • Contests
  • Binge Watch News
  • Watch Last Newscast
  • Watch Live

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 10:21

Maine State Police celebrating 100th anniversary

Written by Joe Cortese

0shares

STATEWIDE — The Maine State Police is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

In July of 1921, 34 members of the State Highway Patrol began their work with a few badges and motorcycles, including Harleys, Indians and even the rare Hendersons.

These men enforced motor vehicle laws and collected fees for auto registrations and licenses.

In 1922,  Maine’s secretary of state took over supervision of the highway control and just three years later, the legislature took  “An Act to Enlarge the Powers of the State Highway Police” and turned it into law.

“Our legacy started a 100 years ago and we pride ourselves on our history and the legacy of the ones before us,” said current Maine State Trooper Jordan Bragan.

By 1935, the legislature officially changed the name to the Maine State Police.

For the celebration this year, the state police have added nine special edition marked cruisers with new replicated license plates of the first plates ever used in 1921.

The special edition black cruisers are marked with the same door seal found on the first cruisers issued back in the 1930s.

According to the State Police Facebook page, “These vehicles were included in our normal fleet order and were not additional purchases. They will remain on the road for the full service life well beyond 2021.”

Troopers also have the opportunity to purchase the same badges worn as the original officers from 100 years ago.

“The fact they wore these badges 100 years ago and now we are 100 years later wearing it again, I mean, that’s pretty cool to me,” said Bragan.

There’s also a significant number on all of the 100th anniversary memorabilia.

“The number 12, and that number represents the 12 members of our agency that we’ve lost in the line of duty during our first 100 years,” said Maine State Police Chief John Cote.

One of the biggest changes in the years is the technology that allows for faster responses, safer protection and an edge to perform the duties of a law enforcement officer.

Back in the early days, troopers would receive their complaints from a dispatch phone call to a local grocery store.

According to retired State Trooper Mark Nickerson, the store would then place a flag to signal the trooper on duty about the call.

“As the trooper drove by, if he saw this flag that means he had to go in the store make a call back to the dispatch center, get the call and then go to the complaint,” said Nickerson.

If the trooper never saw the flag or responded, dispatch would send out another trooper looking for him.

As one can tell, response times have changed drastically since then but the history keeps legacies going.

“My family and myself is rich in history of the Maine State Police and it means so much to me to be apart of it.” Nickerson said.

A lot has changed in 100 years but some things always stay the same, including the relationships between a trooper, other law enforcement agencies and the community.

“I think that’s one thing that’s remained consistent, we know if we are going to be successful we’ve got to have that commitment and relationship with the communities we serve,” Cote said.

The Maine State Police will also have a unique anniversary yearbook coming out for the first time in two decades.

“It will provide a great lookback at every aspect of our agency and how when a need came up and services were needed to be expanded that we were ready to meet that challenge,” Cote said.

For more information on the 100th anniversary, check out the Maine State Police website.

Local News

View More Local News
Covid-19 memorial services being held in Hancock county

February 27

Covid-19 memorial services being held in Hancock county

HANCOCK COUNTY – – Memorial services are being held across the nation on Monday, as part of a …

Maine’s Fisheries and Hatcheries plan for the future.

February 26

Maine’s Fisheries and Hatcheries plan for the future.

STATEWIDE — The State’s Fisheries and Hatcheries department is a valuable resource.

Maine Seacoast Mission setting sail to vaccinate as many islanders as possible

February 26

Maine Seacoast Mission setting sail to vaccinate as many islanders as possible

BAR HARBOR – The Maine Seacoast Mission has teamed up with the Maine CDC to get as many …

Safety tips for winter sports

February 26

Safety tips for winter sports

HERMON — With this month’s winter storms and frigid temperatures come more trips to the ski mountain.

Mills adjusts COVID-19 vaccination strategy

February 26

Mills adjusts COVID-19 vaccination strategy

STATEWIDE —  Gov. Janet Mills announced Friday afternoon an expansion of COVID-19 vaccination eligibility.

Bill seeks to increase electric car use

February 26

Bill seeks to increase electric car use

AUGUSTA — A bill being considered by state lawmakers seeks to increase the number of charging stations for …

Sheriff thanks 8-year-old for good deed

February 26

Sheriff thanks 8-year-old for good deed

CARMEL — Yes, good things do happen to nice people.

Free state park access proposed for Gold Star families

February 26

Free state park access proposed for Gold Star families

AUGUSTA — A proposed bill before state lawmakers would give Gold Star families free access to state parks.

Man injured in Pittsfield fire

February 26

Man injured in Pittsfield fire

PITTSFIELD — One person was injured in an early morning fire Friday on North Main Street, according to …

View More Local News

National News

View More National News

February 27

Democrats release plan to bring back earmarks

The House Appropriation Committee unveiled a plan to bring back earmarks Friday, rebranding them as “community project funding.”

February 27

Texas mother dies in freak crash when wheel smashes through windshield

A Texas mother of two died Thursday night when the front tire of a truck driving in front of …

February 27

Elliott stops 23 shots in Flyers’ 3-0 win over Sabres

Brian Elliott stopped 23 shots to shut out the Buffalo Sabres for a second time this season in …

February 27

Flanigan scores 23, leads Auburn past No. 25 Tennessee 77-72

The Auburn Tigers, who don’t have a postseason to look forward to, at least gave themselves something to …

February 27

No. 3 Michigan continues to roll with 73-57 win at Indiana

Juwan Howard understands the power of patience. It should serve No. 3 Michigan well this week.

February 27

No. 18 Texas Tech stops No. 14 Texas 68-59, ends 3-game skid

Texas Tech coach Chris Beard liked the feeling he got about the last game before March for his …

February 27

San Francisco to move $120 million from police to Black community

San Francisco Mayor London Breed released a fiscal plan this week that would divert $120 million from the …

February 27

Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins takes another shot at his former team on Twitter

Whenever DeAndre Hopkins has the opportunity to rip his former team, he takes it.

February 27

Pujols says he’ll decide future after season with Angels

Albert Pujols woke up from a nap last Monday in Arizona to find several hundred messages and missed …

View More National News

Entertainment

View More Entertainment

February 27

Roger Stone Plays Hype Man to Rapper Spittin’ Pro-Trump Lyrics at CPAC

Coming to you live from CPAC 2021, we present … Flavor Flav and Chuck D of Public Enemy!!! …

February 27

Vanessa Bryant Slams Evan Rachel Wood for Calling Kobe ‘Rapist’ Upon Death

Vanessa Bryant caught wind not everyone had nice things to say about her late husband, Kobe, upon his …

February 27

Lady Gaga’s Dogs Tied to Pole in Alley, Finder Gets $500k Reward

Lady Gaga’s 2 French Bulldogs that were stolen this week were tied to a pole in an alley, …

February 27

CPAC Stage Design Looks Similar to Nazi Symbol Used by SS Platoon

The main CPAC stage where Republicans and other conservatives are gathering this weekend in Florida looks eerily similar …

February 27

Plastic Surgeon In Surgery While Fighting Traffic Ticket on Zoom

A plastic surgeon wanted to fight his traffic ticket this week and was ready to make his case …

February 27

Abigail Breslin’s Dad Dead at 78 From COVID

Abigail Breslin’s dad had died from COVID, and the actress has shared her grief. …

February 27

Actor Aldis Hodge Zoom-Bombed By Racists During Black History Month Event

A zoom celebration of Black History Month was interrupted by some racists who hurled the n-word for all …

February 27

Rachel Lindsay Off Instagram After Bachelor Nation Hate

Rachel Lindsay has disabled her Instagram account because of what’s described as a torrent of hate by members …

February 27

Bill Maher Says Cancel Culture is Destroying America

Bill Maher took aim at cancel culture, saying it’s become McCarthyism in reverse. …

View More Entertainment

Sports News

View More Sports News

February 27

Elliott stops 23 shots in Flyers’ 3-0 win over Sabres

Brian Elliott stopped 23 shots to shut out the Buffalo Sabres for a second time this season in …

February 27

Flanigan scores 23, leads Auburn past No. 25 Tennessee 77-72

The Auburn Tigers, who don’t have a postseason to look forward to, at least gave themselves something to …

February 27

No. 3 Michigan continues to roll with 73-57 win at Indiana

Juwan Howard understands the power of patience. It should serve No. 3 Michigan well this week.

February 27

No. 18 Texas Tech stops No. 14 Texas 68-59, ends 3-game skid

Texas Tech coach Chris Beard liked the feeling he got about the last game before March for his …

February 27

Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins takes another shot at his former team on Twitter

Whenever DeAndre Hopkins has the opportunity to rip his former team, he takes it.

February 27

Pujols says he’ll decide future after season with Angels

Albert Pujols woke up from a nap last Monday in Arizona to find several hundred messages and missed …

February 27

Saints’ Drew Brees captured in workout video amid retirement rumors: ‘Something must be brewing’

The overwhelming majority believes Drew Brees is retiring. But after a recent video surfaced on social media, there …

February 27

Deshaun Watson could lose out on over $20M if he sits out 2021 NFL season: report

Deshaun Watson has made it public that he wants to leave the Houston Texans, but if the franchise …

February 27

Former Notre Dame star, NFL lineman is reported missing, mother believes he’s in danger

Former NFL defensive lineman and Notre Dame standout Louis Nix has reportedly been missing since Tuesday.

View More Sports News

What’s On Tonight?

Fox Bangor

Fox Bangor Logo

  • Fox Bangor
fox-bangor
SatFeb 27
SunFeb 28
MonMar 01
TueMar 02
WedMar 03
ThuMar 04
FriMar 05
SatMar 06
SunMar 07
MonMar 08
TueMar 09
Image Time Programme
4:00 am

Jewelry TV

6:00 am

Paid Programming

7:00 am

Hearts of Heroes

8:00 am

Rock The Park

9:00 am

Did I Mention Invention?

9:30 am

Ready Set Pet

10:00 am

Weekend Marketplace

11:30 am

College Hoops Tip-Off

12:00 pm

College Basketball

Michigan @ Indiana (Big Ten)
2:00 pm

College Hoops Extra

3:30 pm

College Basketball

Marquette @ UConn (Big East)
4:30 pm

College Hoops Extra

5:00 pm

College Basketball

Creighton @ Xavier (Big East)
7:00 pm

Modern Family

8:00 pm

PBC Fight Night

Anthony Dirrell vs. Kyrone Davis
10:00 pm

Fox 22 News at 10

11:00 pm

I Can See Your Voice

12:00 am

Judge Judy

1:00 am

The World's Funniest Weather

1:30 am

Monk

2:30 am

Family Feud

3:30 am

Jewelry TV

WVII

WVII Logo

  • WVII
fox-bangor
SatFeb 27
Image Time Programme
4:00 am

Jewelry TV

6:00 am

Paid Programming

7:00 am

Hearts of Heroes

8:00 am

Rock The Park

9:00 am

Did I Mention Invention?

9:30 am

Ready Set Pet

10:00 am

Weekend Marketplace

11:30 am

College Hoops Tip-Off

12:00 pm

College Basketball

Michigan @ Indiana (Big Ten)
2:00 pm

College Hoops Extra

3:30 pm

College Basketball

Marquette @ UConn (Big East)
4:30 pm

College Hoops Extra

5:00 pm

College Basketball

Creighton @ Xavier (Big East)
7:00 pm

Modern Family

8:00 pm

PBC Fight Night

Anthony Dirrell vs. Kyrone Davis
10:00 pm

Fox 22 News at 10

11:00 pm

I Can See Your Voice

12:00 am

Judge Judy

1:00 am

The World's Funniest Weather

1:30 am

Monk

2:30 am

Family Feud

3:30 am

Jewelry TV

Stories Trending Now

  • Lincoln girl, 7, dies in house fire
  • Woman who testified against murderer won’t spend more jail time
  • Camden house fire leaves 1 dead, 4 injured
  • Bill would require hunting guides for nonresidents of Maine

Latest Tweets

Tweets von @"@FoxABCMaine"
WVII / Fox Bangor Logo WVII / Fox Bangor
  • Half Off Deals
  • UPickEm
  • Contests
  • Audio Description
  • Closed Captioning
  • FCC Public File
  • EEO Reports
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National News
    • Newscast
    • Community Events
    • News Team Bios
  • Weather
  • Sports
    • Local Sports
    • National Sports
  • Features
    • Weekend Warriors
    • Watch ABC
    • Live Interview
    • Mr. Food
    • Healthy ME
    • Grow with Good Morning Maine
    • Class of 2020
  • Programming
  • Contact
    • Contact Information
    • Employment
    • Request Local News Talent
  • Binge Watch News
  • Watch Live
Website Design & Development © 2021 Links Web Design, Bangor, Maine | Sitemap
Website Content Copyright © 2021 WVII / Fox Bangor