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Patrol Services Division

We provide a uniform presence and law enforcement services all across Oregon, with a primary responsibility for crash reduction, crime reduction, and other transportation safety issues; as well as to respond to emergency calls for service on Oregon’s state and interstate highways.

We investigate motor vehicle collisions and document evidence at crime scenes. Investigations often involve fatal or serious injury motor vehicle collisions with a criminal element, or homicide investigations.

We have 49 specially trained investigators located throughout Oregon. Our staff includes 14 internationally accredited Collision Reconstructionists through the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR), and 35 Technical Collision Investigators.  The program is directed by the Collision Reconstruction Program Sergeant and five Regional Lead Reconstructionists, all of whom are ACTAR accredited.

Our staff receives specialized training in the field of Collision Reconstruction to establish technical excellence. They are often called upon to provide expert testimony in the courtroom. The training includes heavy emphases on evidence documentation, mathematics and physics. We maintain training to keep pace with advancing technology (e.g. vehicle event data recorders). Quality control and quality assurance is important to our work, and we’ve established a rigorous ‘peer review process’ where each case requires a concurrence from at least two of our most higly trained and experienced members.
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We are responsible for most of the truck inspections performed by law enforcement in Oregon. Truck drivers account for fewer at-fault crashes than passenger vehicle drivers, however, the weight of commercial vehicles and the cargo they typically carry can cause severe crashes. We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure that commercial vehicle drivers and their equipment are operating safely.
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Criminal Apprehension through Patrol Enforcement (CAPE) is a program where Troopers assess situations and people they contact in their daily work for potential criminal activity. The philosophy behind CAPE is to identify all crimes and threats in an effort to locate and apprehend wanted subjects and identify individuals engaged in criminal activity, as well as locate illegal substances, stolen property or other contraband, in vehicles traveling on the state's highways.

CAPE operations are conducted by Troopers who work on our highways every day. Large-scale operations are also held across the state throughout the year with an emphasis on highway safety, criminal interdiction and crime deterrence. Some goals of CAPE are to reduce vehicle crashes, interdict the transportation of illegal items and increase the safety of persons driving on Oregon highways. CAPE operations frequently team up drug detection K9 handlers with Troopers that have expertise in intoxicated driving, aggressive driving, passenger vehicle safety, commercial motor vehicle safety, crash investigation, drug investigation and other specialties to work together in an effort to meet CAPE goals.

CAPE operations typically result in seizures of large amounts of drugs, firearms and proceeds from criminal activity as well as the arrests of wanted persons, intoxicated drivers and people engaged in criminal conduct. CAPE operations strongly support the traffic safety mission of OSP and focus on the most common driving errors that result in the majority of serious injury and fatal vehicle crashes: speed, occupant restraint, lane use, intoxicated driving and distracted driving.

We are dedicated to training our patrol members in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests to the criteria established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and to keep them up to date on current case law related to DUII enforcement. We continue to improve the detection, apprehension and prosecution of impaired drivers while on patrol. Our goal is to increase DUII deterrence, and decrease crashes, deaths and injuries related to impaired driving.

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We are currently accepting applications for training as Drug Recognition Experts (DREs).
DRE School Application

Our staff manage and provide secure storage for all items seized by sworn staff. Technicians manage over 50,000 items of evidence state wide, including found property and property identified as “safe keeping.” We have 16 Evidence Technicians located throughout the state. Their primary focus is to acquire, maintain and dispose of property and evidence according to State and Federal laws and agency guidelines. Evidence Technicians maintain the security of the evidence lockers and are trained in storage techniques to protect evidence from deterioration, loss, and contamination. Detailed records of transactions involving items of evidence are maintained in order to preserve the chain of custody. We use an electronic inventory system to maintain detailed records necessary for the presentation of evidence in court. After cases are complete, Technicians work closely with District Attorneys, Judges and other authorizing agents to dispose of the evidence as required by law.
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The first OSP Honor Guard was established in 1984. Funeral and memorial services remain the core function of the team to this day. The team also acts as the official ceremonial unit of the Superintendent of State Police and the Governor of Oregon. They are used in various capacities including color presentations, ambassadors at gubernatorial inaugurations, to security at formal state events. Members also represent the Governor and Superintendent at various police funerals and memorials across the United States. Honor guard members represent each Division of the State Police and are located in worksites across Oregon.

The honor guard has provided services in conjunction with other police services, all branches of the military, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and various private and civic organizations such as the Elks and the Freemasons. The team has conducted all manner of services from full honors multi-agency services to a single honor guard member presenting a flag.
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This program is a joint effort with the Oregon Transportation Safety Division and Oregon State Police. Staff are dedicated to ignition interlock device standardization, service center compliance, and public safety.

The Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID or simply IID) is attached to the ignition of a motor vehicle. When properly installed and calibrated, the IID will prevent a driver from starting a motor vehicle if the device detects a breath alcohol concentration (BAC) above the allowed set point.

Our program includes 1 Explosives K-9, 1 Fish and Wildlife K-9 and 9 Drug Detection K-9s.  A variety of dog breeds fill out our K-9 Program, including, but not limited to, Springer Spaniel, Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois.  Our selection process is based on a K-9s personality, high drive, workability and intense desire for tracking and detection.

To ensure everyone's safety, never approach or attempt to pet any law enforcement K-9 without permission from the handler.  Although our K-9s may appear docile and friendly, they are working dogs, not pets.  A law enforcement K-9 may become defensive and can bite without warning.  

Teams: To become a handler, Troopers must be selected through a highly competitive application process.  Once selected, Troopers are required to attend a basic handler course, certify as a team and renew their certification annually.  To maintain a high level of proficiency and reliability, handlers train with their K-9 an average of 4 hours per week.  View our K9s here.

Fish and Wildlife: The newest addition, Buck, is the first Wildlife Detection K-9 in the State of Oregon.  He is trained to detect human scent, hunting and fishing articles as well as wildlife such as elk, deer, bear, salmon and steelhead.  Buck will be deployed across the state to assist with fish and wildlife enforcement and aid in the apprehension of poachers.

Drug Detection: K-9 teams assist in the detection of illegal drugs, recovery of stolen property and the arrest of wanted persons on our highways and in local communities.  These teams work closely with other Troopers, Drug Enforcement Detectives, as well as City, County and Federal law enforcement agencies.  Our Drug Detection K-9 roster includes:  Mako, Max, Falko, Harley, Marley, Ore, Mick, Nero and Titan. Although each of our K-9s are special, Titan's story is a heartwarming one.  Not only was he obtained through a rescue facility, he is now successfully trained as a Drug Detection K-9.

Explosive Detection:  This K-9 team is located at the State Capitol and responds to calls for service and assistance throughout the state.  Arty and his handler were trained at the Washington State Patrol K-9 Academy. We are grateful to WSP for their assistance and support in developing this program in Oregon.  Arty is trained to detect a multitude of explosive materials; Arty and his handler have worked at numerous public locations and events since teaming up in 2018.

We provide a high profile tactical response to effectively deal with civil unrest. The team specializes in quickly restoring order during a civil unrest event and safely removing protestors from protest devices. We also augmented patrol presence during large scale events around the state by means of foot patrols, bicycle patrols and general patrols. We train on a regular basis in different environments and locations and frequently train and work with other law enforcement agency crowd control teams.
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This program focuses on initiating a prompt and orderly removal of disabled or abandoned vehicles from the highways in Oregon and to meet the towing needs of the​ Department. We maintain a non-preference tow rotational list of qualified tow businesses. This list is computer generated and does not favor any tow business over another. Participating businesses understand they may be called upon to conduct a tow at the operational need of our agency.

Map of Oregon State Police Tow Zones (Zones are Approximate)
Effective December 1, 2020

Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) governs the Oregon State Police Non-Preference Tow Program.   

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
These rule changes encompass changes to the tow program certification requirments and process. 


Hearing Date:
Jan. 23, 2024 at 10 a.m.
View the the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the remote meeting details. 

To become part of the Non-Preference Tow list, there is an application process. To begin, complete and return the linked form.  
Add or Remove Driver/Truck Form (Fillable)

Information regarding the Non-Preference Tow Program is available by emailing OSPTow@osp.oregon.gov​ or writing to Non-Preference Tow Program, Oregon State Police, 3565 Trelstad Ave SE, Salem, OR 97317.




The Oregon State Police, through a strong partnership with the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association and the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, has expanded the “Car Care” program to “Oregon’s Car Care” program. A special thanks to Governor Kate Brown, Oregon Department of Administrative Services and Oregon Corrections Enterprises for their support with the expansion.

Learn more details.

We observe the highest standards of professionalism at all times while offering 24-hour tactical assistance to all law enforcement agencies in Oregon. Our team consists of 24 tactical members, 12 crisis negotiators and 2 tactical medics. The mission of the SWAT team is to preserve life in high-risk, potentially life threatening situations through the use of specialized training, equipment, and tactics. SWAT strives for a nonviolent resolution at all times. The SWAT team is trained and prepared to take whatever action is necessary to protect the public, enforce the law, and keep the public trust. Members may also be called upon to help train law enforcement agencies within Oregon. The SWAT team trains on a regular basis in different environments and locations within the state.
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This program is aimed to achieve the three objectives of the TIM national unified goal: responder safety; safe, quick clearance of the roadway; and prompt, reliable, and inter-operable communications. We have a shared understanding of TIM goals among responders from different groups—law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, the U.S. Department of Transportation, towing and recovery, and dispatch. This program also ties to the department's Key Performance Measure, which in partnership with ODOT is a roadway clearance under 90 minutes for all incidents.
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​Contact

Patrol Services Division
3565 Trelstad Ave SE
Salem, OR 97317
Phone: 503-378-3720
Fax: 503-391-5910
ask.osp@osp.oregon.gov​

Hours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday​