The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-10-18
TROOP SYSTEM
AIDS WORK OF
STATE POLICE
Step Taken Toward Plan in
Indiana With Six
Barracks.

This is the fourth of a series
of stories on police systems writ
ten by Albert J. Beverage Jr, a
special writer for the Lebanon
0nd.D Reporter.
The indianapolis Times will pub
Iish a story daily until the con-
clusion Of the series. In compiling
the articles. Mr.. Beveridge, dur
ing the last year. has studied the
operations of a number Of state
police setups.
His survey included Indiana,
Massachusetts,. New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania and the
Royal Northwest Mounted.
The stories also are appear
ing in the Lebanon Reporter.
BY ALBERT ]. BEVERIDGE JR.
For modern state police to func-
ton efficiently, forces have been
divided into several troops. This
practice is followed in every organi-
cation of distinction in the country.
Besides the regular headquarters,
located in the states capital, the
force has scattered troop headquar-
ters located at various vantage
points throughout the state. Each
troop has a commissioned officer,
either a lieutenant or a captain, in
charge. Under each troop COM
mander there are several substa-
tions located at other vantage
spots within the area patrolled by
a particular troop. The purpose OF
this substation system is to dis
tribute the personnel of the depart
ment to those places where it can be
most effectively used in handling
police problems.
Indiana Handicapped
Various states have different sys-
TENS but for the most part there are
from three to six troop headquarters
depending on the size Of the state
and the number of men in the
service. With the help of the tele-
type and radio these S~ubstations
cooperate most successfully with
headquarters in general police work.
The subStations are always placed
at important sections where roads
can be blocked and from which man
hunts can be carried on with the
highest efficiency.
States vary as to the number OF
subStations. Massachusetts, a small
state in area. has four troop head
quarters and nineteen subStations.
New York, a large state. has six
troop headquarters and about $50
s~ubStations.
While the state of Indiana has no
system of substations, the state it
self has been divided into three
sections with six barracks operating
at important centers. These six
barracks cooperate as well as they
can. considering that the only
means of communication between
them is a telephone.
Officials in Indiana expect better
and quicker collective action when
the radio is introduced this winter.
There will be either four or five
separate stations and these will OPP
crate in conjunction with the bar
racks. AS time goes on it is the
purpose of those in charge Of the
Indiana force to increase the per-
sonnet as we'll as the number of bar
racks, for at present Indiana finds
itself in somewhat of a difficult
position when it comes to instant
action, not only because Of the
great distances between barracks
but also because of the limited
personnel of the department.
Cooperation Improved
The maintenance of the regular
substations is very important as a
crime preventive. The frequent
appearance of a uniformed officer
of the law on the highways is in
itself a great influence in the pre-
vention of crime. The proper dis
tribution of SubstationS " barracks
aids materially in this matter as
we'll as in the prompt detection and
apprehension of criminals. Success
in this direction adds materially to