Our History

In the beginning

In 1933, Governor Miller went before the Wyoming Highway Commission and proposed the establishment of a Highway Patrol. It was agreed, and in June, the Wyoming Highway Patrol was founded.

The first leader of the Wyoming Highway Patrol was Captain George “Red” Smith. He and 6 Patrolmen were responsible for the safety of the motoring public in the state of Wyoming.  The Patrolmen received a monthly salary of $175.00, the captain earned $200.00. Vehicles were furnished by the state as were uniforms. These consisted of a forest green military coat, oak brown breeches and caps, Sam Browne belts and brown riding boots. The insignia of a buffalo and winged wheel were worn on the arm.

Thus, the State of Wyoming was covered with each patrolman covering approximately four (4) counties each.  Their training lasted for three weeks.  Each of the recruits were required to pay their own expenses during the training.  The pay scale was $175.00 a month for the patrolmen and $200.00 for the captain.  The work schedule was an average of 10 hours a day, seven days a week.  During the first two-and-half years of the newly formed Patrol the average work week was @ 67 hours and the patrolmen drove an average of @ 570 miles.

The duty assignments were Lovell, Laramie, Basin, Gillette, Green River and Casper. As there was no radios or dispatch, messages were left at certain locations, usually service stations in the patrol area. If there was a message, a red flag would be posted so the patrolman knew to stop.

In January of 1935 the House passed a bill officially creating the Patrol.  Prior to that, the Patrol had been a subdivision of the Highway Department.  Also in 1935, the patrol strength grew to a total of 13 men.

Wyoming first speed limit was enacted by Governor Miller in May of 1938.  The speed limit was set at 60 MPH.  It also set a speed of 35 MPH for stretches of highway declared to be particularly hazardous.

In 1940 the first experimental two-way radios were installed in Patrol cars.  In 1942 the statewide radio network started operation by the Patrol.  The 1,000 watt low band station was put in Casper and when transmitting was powerful enough to be heard throughout the entire state. By now, all the Highway Patrol cars (eighteen) had been equipped with two-way radios.

In 1954 experimental use of radar to clock speeding vehicles began.  The first radar units had to be used while the patrol vehicle was stationary.  The radar units were upgraded throughout the years and the last stationary unit was traded off in 1978.

In July, 1966, the Wyoming Highway Patrol was connected into Bell Telephone’s  “LETS” or Law Enforcement Teletype System.  The radio operator was able to communicate nationwide with other law enforcement agencies via the tape which was typed out by hand.  The first system was installed in the Cheyenne headquarters.  In May of 1969 the State of Wyoming connected to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the terminal was located at the Patrol headquarters building.  In the mid 1970’s the old “LETS” system was eliminated and updated equipment was installed.

-Protecting and serving Wyoming since 1933