About GSP

The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) was established in 1937 under the administration of Governor Eurith D. Rivers as part of a legislative effort to improve highway safety across Georgia. The agency was created through the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which authorized the establishment of a statewide law enforcement body to patrol highways and enforce traffic laws.

The first training school for troopers was held at the Bobby Jones Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia, with 80 cadets in attendance. Of these, 43 successfully graduated and became the inaugural team of troopers. This marked the beginning of the GSP’s commitment to public safety and the enforcement of traffic laws across the state.

Today, the GSP is a division of the Georgia Department of Public Safety and plays a critical role in maintaining safety on Georgia’s roadways. Its primary responsibilities include:

• Traffic Enforcement: Ensuring compliance with traffic laws, investigating traffic crashes, and conducting DUI enforcement.

• Public Safety Support: Providing assistance during natural disasters, major events, and emergencies.

• Specialized Units: The GSP includes specialized teams such as the Special Operations Unit, which oversees aviation, SWAT, the Motor Unit, and the Criminal Interdiction Unit.

The GSP is also active in educational outreach, promoting initiatives to reduce traffic fatalities and encourage safe driving habits. Troopers are stationed across the state in 52 patrol posts, covering all 159 counties in Georgia.

Since its founding, the GSP has grown into one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the nation, committed to upholding its motto: “Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation.”