For Oregon State Police at 75, much has changed.

Byline: Rebecca Nolan The Register-Guard

If Capt. Joe McMahon were alive now, he'd remove his old-fashioned garrison hat, wipe his brow and whistle through his teeth.

The 1927 Buick he drove as captain of the Oregon Traffic Division would no doubt pale in comparison to the 2006 Dodge Chargers added to the Oregon State Police fleet this month, as the agency celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Each of the 45 Dodge Chargers comes equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI multi-displacement V8 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission with all-speed traction control, electronic stability control and a four-wheel anti-lock braking system.

The cars are capable of going from zero to 60 mph in 6.44 seconds, and from zero to 100 mph in slightly over 16 seconds, with a fuel economy of 17 mpg on city roads, 25 mpg on the highway.

The 1927 Buick sedan, on the other hand - not so fast.

Much has changed since Gov. Julius Meier called for the creation of a state police force in his 1931 inaugural address.

Concerned about the growing number of cars and crimes in the state, he felt Oregon needed more cooperation in its rural communities to enforce the law and prevent crime.

At the time, the State Traffic Division for which McMahon worked enforced traffic laws. The Liquor Enforcement Division enforced the laws of Prohibition. The State Game Commission and Fish Commission dealt with commercial fishing and hunting regulations. The State Fire Marshal's Office investigated arson. And local police chiefs, sheriffs and town constables enforced criminal law.

Meier felt that creating a single body to enforce traffic, forest, game and Prohibition laws would eliminate the chaos created by agencies that struggled - and sometimes refused - to cooperate with one another.

"The best law badly administered is worse than none," he said.

He got his wish.

The State Police Bill became law on Aug. 1, 1931. The new agency was responsible for enforcing traffic and criminal laws, as well as laws governing commercial fishing, game, arson, liquor and drugs.

Some opposed the idea, afraid the state police concept was just a step away from militarism, according to "The History of the Oregon State Police," published by the agency on its 50th anniversary.

"Vested interests, not the least of which was a well-financed moonshine industry, pressured politicians to scrap the plan," according to the authors.

When the first state police superintendent took the helm, he had 95 sworn police officers under his command, many culled from the agencies disbanded by the State Police Bill.

The agency has evolved over the past 75 years.

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission took over alcohol enforcement when national prohibition was repealed in 1933. Troopers long ago dropped the early uniforms of bowtie, hip-length shirt and tall boots in favor of neckties and Eisenhower jackets. The signature state police "Smokey" hat replaced the garrison cap in 1972. The first woman joined the sworn ranks in 1951 and many have followed her lead. Investigative techniques and tools have vastly improved.

Other changes are not as welcome. The agency boasts only half the number of sworn troopers now than it did in 1979, despite a 40 percent increase in the state's population. And 27 troopers have died in the line of duty. But the important things remain the same, Superintendent Ronald Ruecker said recently. "One thing that hasn't changed during that time is the hallmark of the Oregon State Police - pride, loyalty and dedication."