The first highway patrol in the United States was established in California in 1929. Known as the California Highway Patrol (CHP), it was created to enforce traffic laws and ensure safety on the state's highways. The concept of dedicated highway patrol units quickly spread to other states, influencing the development of similar organizations nationwide.
Highway patrol officers are members of a highway patrol unit. The highway patrol is a state agency or a separate unit within a police department designated to patrol and police the highway systems.
Mississippi Highway Patrol was created in 1938.
The first state to establish a highway patrol was California, which created the California Highway Patrol in 1929. This initiative aimed to address increasing traffic-related issues and improve safety on the state's highways. The success of California's model led other states to develop their own highway patrol agencies in the following years.
Florida Highway Patrol was created in 1939.
Montana Highway Patrol was created in 1935.
Nevada Highway Patrol was created in 1908.
Kansas Highway Patrol was created in 1937.
Wyoming Highway Patrol was created in 1933.
Utah Highway Patrol was created in 1923.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol was created in 1937.
California Highway Patrol was created in 1929.
Tennessee Highway Patrol was created in 1929.