Superintendent Henry Bigelow Nicholas

Prior to his employment with the Division of Motor Vehicles, Henry Nicholas served as a county police officer, however the jurisdiction remains unknown. On July 1, 1925, he was employed by the Division of Motor Vehicles in the position of Inspector. He was promoted to Lieutenant with the Division of Motor Vehicles on June 15, 1930. In 1934, Nicholas was appointed Acting Superintendent of the Enforcement unit of DMV with the rank of Captain by Commissioner John Q. Rhodes. On March 15, 1938, he was appointed Superintendent of the Enforcement unit of DMV and promoted to Major by Commissioner M. S. Battle.

During his tenures in both his acting and full roll as Superintendent, the following notable changes and improvements were incurred within the Enforcement unit of DMV – the unit that officially became the Department of State Police in 1942.

• The implementation of a communications system was begun.
• A uniform dress for members was adopted.
• In 1934, forty-eight patrol vehicles were equipped with radio receivers.
• In 1935, authorization was obtained to increase the number of enforcement personnel to 150.
• A pistol team was created within the agency.
• In 1937, annual in-service training was implemented.
• Slacks were adopted for uniform dress in a move from exclusive use of motorcycle oriented apparel and boots.
• In 1938, the title State Trooper was adopted for enforcement personnel.
• In 1939, administrative headquarters for the state police was relocated from 12th and Main Streets in Richmond to a 65 acre tract along US Route 60 in Chesterfield County where SPHQ is now situated. At that time and until a permanent building was constructed, headquarters operated from a former farm house on site. Construction of the new headquarters building began in an area behind the former farm house.
• The first armored car was obtained and based at SPHQ.
• By 1941, construction of the new headquarters building was completed and became operational.
• The first training school was held in a second floor conference room of the new headquarters.
• Marked vehicles were replaced with unmarked vehicles.
• The first radio tower was erected at the SPHQ facility.