HEMC NEWSLETTER Extensive
Collection of Old Photographs Donated to HEMC
Photographs
Donated to HEMC
This past November, the State Police Academy in Hershey donated several filing cabinets to the
Pennsylvania State Police Historical, Educational & Memorial Center (HEMC). Stored inside
these cabinets was an extensive collection of old photographs, dating from the origin of the State
Police to the l970s. They depict some aspect of State Police history.
Interviewing participants or experts in a particular
subject or issue and preserving their judgments and recollections. Oral history materials sound and
video recordings, transcribed interviews, interview notes and memoranda supplement, but do not
replace, official written records. Oral history materials contain information not normally preserved
in official documents." Oral history preserves through interviews an individual's interpretation
or recollection of events. The final product, whether it is an interview tape or transcript, reflects
the combined effort of the interviewer and interviewee in the creation of a unique historical account.
The
Retired State Police Association of Pennsylvania
•The Retired State Police Association of Pennsylvania was
incorporated in June 1950. Its mission reads in part…”to foster fellowship amongst its
members, keep alive the memories of service to promote the welfare of its members and to inculcate a
spirit of cooperation with the members of the Pennsylvania State Police.
In August 1987, Deputy Commissioner Ronald Sharpe was
appointed Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. Colonel Sharpe was the first
African-American to be appointed to that position in the history of the Department. Many new
Department initiatives were implemented under [his] direction: In January 1988, the Department
unveiled a new uniform, with a new shoulder patch and shirt. The patch, designed by a
sevenmember uniform committee, incorporated the keystone and the state's coat of arms encircled
by a star burst. The star burst was part of the department's first uniform, designed by Major John
Groome in 1905. • Also in January 1988, the first three of 15 Canine Drug Enforcement Teams
completed their initial training period and became operational. The canines and their trainers
respond to requests from state and local law enforcement agencies, schools, critical industries,
and appropriate public sector agencies. • After a 50-year hiatus, the Department returned to
patrolling the state's highways on motorcycles. Twelve Harley Davidson motorcycles were assigned
to Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to respond to accidents along heavily
traveled highways.
Museum Office Hours 9a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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