WEST MINOT — Retired trooper Percy Turner briefed both town’s Historical Societies at a combined pot-luck dinner and presentation at the West Minot Grange Hall in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Maine State Police. Turner explained that initially most of the officers were assigned inspection duties but a few operated on motorcycles. Horses were used for transportation during the winter months. It was not until 1936 that automobiles were assigned to all troopers. A crime laboratory was established in 1937 and “finger printing” became a common procedure as part of their forensic science investigations. Turner recounted numerous stories of notable State Police cases, including several with which he was personally involved.
