The Oregon State Police began operating on August 1, 1931. The organization was designed by a committee appointed by Governor
Julius L. Meier, who made a survey of some of the most successful state law enforcement agencies across
North America, including the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the
New Jersey State Police, the
Texas Rangers, the
Pennsylvania State Police, and others. They took on the responsibilities that were previously handled by the State Highway Commission, the Fish and Game Commission, the
Secretary of State, the Prohibition Commissioner, and the State Fire Marshal. OSP's first Superintendent (head) was Charles Pray, State Parole Officer and a former Department of Justice Agent. Mr. Pray set up four OSP districts in the state and thirty-one patrol stations. He began his duties on June 7, 1931, about two months before the State Police began operating. Harold Maison, formerly with the State Traffic Division, was appointed Chief Clerk and was stationed at General Headquarters in Salem. He was charged with setting up and maintaining a system of reports and records for the OSP. Captain George Alexander was placed in charge of the Bureau of Identification and Investigation and charged with the investigational activities of the department. On January 1, 1932, he was appointed Deputy Superintendent, a served a position he held until his installment as Warden of the State Penitentiary in 1938. Charles McClees, previously with the State Game Commission, was appointed captain and placed in charge of game and commercial fish enforcement. ==Titles and Insignia==