Alabama

The Alabama Highway Patrol is an interesting study from the standpoint of some obscure facts. Formed in 1935 with the motto Courtesy, Service and Protection. The AHP later became a Division of Department of Public Safety. One primary communications objective was late coming to AHP due to budget restrictions etc. Early on establishment of state wide communications via radio system was in vain. Their radio communications system took several hits due to budget restraints and then commencing WW2 emergency, they couldn’t come up with the parts to build a system. But the communications problem was solved towards the end of the war. Staff had hired and trained 13 men and 12 women to duty assignments in radio communications.

Our APCO communications material in the 1940s revealed Alabama Highway Patrol; “A number of radiotelegraph stations are planned and will be announced when in operation.” Alabama stations have a network of radio telephone stations within the State.

By 1951 the National Police Communications Network advised the following were equipped with telegraph; PD Birmingham KIB63 - PD Mobile KIA65; SP Montgomery KIA33 and PD Selma KIA61 which were relay points for the State. Standard APCO channels were utilized by SP Montgomery guarding the following on H.F. C.W. *5195 and 7935 khz.

In 1971 the AHP was the first agency to use down sized vehicles for regular patrol duties by purchase of 132 AMC Javelins. This pre-dated the Comaros and Mustangs used by other departments years later.