1997

A Problem Oriented Public Safety (POPS) philosophy was initiated by the agency, following the award of a Community Oriented Policing grand from the federal government. The award added 72 trained POPS officers to the patrol over a three year period. POPS signaled the beginning of a new problem-solving philosophy that fosters the development of partnerships among the WSP, citizens, and other stakeholders, who help solve public safety problems in communities throughout the state. The WSP Canine (K9) unit began with the deployment of two explosive detection teams.