State police mark 75th anniversary

As the new year gets underway, a twist on a classic car will help mark a milestone for the Indiana State Police.\nTo celebrate their 75th year as a public service, members of the state police will be driving throwbacks to their original vehicle. \nThe black 1933 Chevrolet look-alike, which sports a bright Indiana Department of Transportation yellow stripe, will be given to the police superintendent and all district public information officers, said Indiana State Police First Sgt. Brian Olehy.\nTwenty of these vehicles will be commissioned to the various districts, the state headquarters and Superintendent Paul Whitesell. The public information officers can use these models at their discretion, Olehy said.\n“They may be used for routine patrolling, talking to the media or just for show,” Olehy said.\nThe cars will also be on display at parades and special events throughout the year.\nIn addition, troopers can get badges made specifically for the anniversary year, according to an Indiana State Police news release. The badges feature the United States flag and the Indiana state flag, and they will be the standard badge shape of the State Police.\nEach post will have signs to commemorate the anniversary, and during the month of May, which is National Police Month, outdoor ceremonies will be held throughout the state with the commissioned vehicles, Olehy said.\nPlans for celebration at the local Bloomington post are already underway, said Sgt. Curt Durnil of the Bloomington post.\nDurnil said he plans to pick up his 2007 classic look-alike Ford on Wednesday.\n“It will be used in my general day-to-day duties, such as advertisement, recruitment and even some patrolling,” Durnil said. “Though the 2007 (model) is only meant as a look-alike of the old model once used in the state, it will still have the same trooper technologies along with a special anniversary monogram on the back.”\nMonthly articles will be distributed throughout the state, offering more depth into the history of Indiana’s police forces, Olehy said.\n“We will constantly be looking for new and creative ways of doing things throughout the year,” \nhe said.