California State Police Division

In 1970, Jimmie Lee Robins was sworn in as a member of the California State Police Division, badge #96, assigned to Los Angeles Company, Zone III [Southern California], of the Division of California State Police. "I had recieved a telegram from the Chief of the State Police. Offering me a commission in the service. I was to respond by return telegram with my responce. I accepted and recieved another telegram with instructions on where and how to purchase the uniforms. In those days the Troopers had to buy all of their own equipment, except for the badge and cartridges. when I was commissioned as a member of the old California State Police, I was instructed to report for duty - in uniform. We wore uniforms made from a British military green colored material, with gold strips down the leg. When I reported in to the Company office, the Company Commander swore me in, gave me a badge [#96] and five cartridges from his own sidearm, and sent me on patrol with the duty sergeant with-in an hour of being sworn in. Several years later while stationed with the Los Angeles Company, I was present when there was a major change in the structure of the California State Police. The force was expanded from 90 to 300 officers, and the uniform as well as the hat was changed. We switched from the pie shaped cap [the old Highway Patrol style cap] with a button in the center of the top to the Montana Peak hat. The State Police in those days had three Zone Headquarters commanded by a Zone Commander [his rank was Commander and he was the next higher level of command to the Company Commanders a Captian. Sacramento, Zone I, San Francisco, Zone II, Los Angeles, Zone III, with one Company assighed to each Zone, sometimes with sub-stations assigned under the Companies. The State Police Companies were commanded by a Captain. Sub-stations were commanded by ether a Lieutenant or a sergeant."

I believe this is a copy of the original California Ranger Badge [I have one of these badges, a friend got it for me at a collector show in Dallas, Texas]

The old California State Police Badge

Old California State Police shield

While on assignment at the state capitol in Sacramento, I had occasion to find and read the old archives of the California State Rangers. Which reflected the evolution of the California State Rangers through State Capitol Police, then to the "Division of California State Police."

The California State Rangers have suffered the same fate as that of the sister organizations; the Arizona Rangers, the New Mexico Rangers, and the proposed efforts to end the life of the Texas Rangers.

Ofc. Jim Robins, #96 seated third row, third from left.
Photo of the Advanced Officers Combined Law Enforcement Training Academy, State Police Acadamy, Sacramento, California. Pictured are officers from numerous California law enforcement agencies.

Ofc Jim Robins, #96 backrow center.
Pictured is the compliment of the Los Angeles Company, Zone III of California State Police. The Officers in the dark uniforms are the State Troopers, those in light colored uniforms are California State Building Security Officers. Front row center; is the Los Angeles CSP Company Secratary, to her right is the Company Commander, [Los Angeles Company Commander was a Capt.] to her left is the Chief of the State Police, Guy Oats. Second from the right, second row is the Zone Commander. The Company Deputy Commander [Lt. Tim Hill] is not pictured.

Ofc. Jim Robins, CSP #96 on the way to the Los Angeles CSP Company Office at 1st and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, for patrol detail [NOTE: the old uniform of the CSP].

Ofc Jim Robins, CSP #96 on patrol of the Canoga Park [San Fernando Valley] Unemployment Office [NOTE: the old CSP uniform].
While assigned to Zone III Patrol Detail, which covered the entire Los Angeles basin. We would be assigned on a temporary basis to various locations when a threat or potential hazard of a threat exisited. During these early days, the California Department of Unemployment Insurance would dispence Unemployment Insurance payments in cash. They there fore kept banks on the premises of each unemployment office. Each of these banks were subject to "bank robberies." Even more so were the individual armed robberies that occuried when the patrons left the facility with cash in their hands. As a form of crime prevention, patrol cars made a sweep of all Unemployment Offices when they were open. The Officer would make his presents known for upwards of an hour then quietly slip out and continue patrol. The bad guys never knew when the CSP would be around.

"American Legion and Optimist Club, Annual Awards for heroism; presented to law enforcement Officers during Law Day." They presented to Ofc Jim Robins, badge #96, California State Police, assigned to Zone III, Los Angeles Company Office, a plaque for heroism. Cited: "When, while in accompany with his wife. He entered a local Mexican resturant in Canyon Country, California, located just to the north of the San Fernando Valley. Without his knowledge, he and his wife entered the resturant, into a riotous situation. There were about a dozen Hell's Angels in the resturant, tearing it up and assualting the patrons and staff. After seating his wife, Ofc. Robins, displayed his badge and forgetting that he was unarmed confronted the suspects. During the ensueing confrontation, he was able to convience the members of the Hell's Angels to leave the premisess without farther injury to patrons and staff."

Ofc Jim Robins, badge #96, Los Angeles Company, Zone III. These are good examples of the old uniform.

Ofc Jim Robins, #96 Enroute a riot in San Deigo, California. I was dispatched to the San Deigo Sub-station at the State Bldg. The issue was in connection with an Administrative Hearing which was in progress against a Prof. Peter J. Bomer, of the University of California at San Deigo. A riot insued in support of the Prof., where a number of state employees and San Diego Police Officers were injured. This promted the request for a State Trooper.

Special [secret] Service detail - Executive Protection for Govenor of California, Ronald Reagan.

City Employees strike, Transbay Terminal, San Francisco

City Employees Strike, San Francisco - I was part of the CSP Strike Detail - during this picture I was in the background.

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I was a commissioned Officer of the California State Police for about ten years. The first firearm that I carried was a S&W .38 cal Combat Masterpiece, I found this to a most worthless firearm. It was to light and did not have enough impact for the type of duty demanded of the State Police. After I had been on the force for about four years I switched to a S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman, a .357cal on a .44cal frame with a six inch barrel. This heavy framed S&W was the perfect sidearm for the type of work that we did. Since we worked alone, the large frame weapon that was very intemidating when a suspect looked down the barrel.

CSP Memories of Days Long Ago __________________________________________________________________________
Visit another CSP page California State Police

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Consolidating the California State Police (CSP) with the California Highway Patrol (CHP)

July 12, 1995 by order of the state legislature the CSP and CHP were consolidated. For more infor mation click on the link below.
CSP/CHP Merger

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International Police Association, USA Section, Region #6,Los Angeles

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