Chapter
The dark history of Pennsylvania's state police
54:02 - 58:48 (04:46)
The Pennsylvania state police was established to keep coal miners in order and prevent strikes, and drew inspiration from the brutal tactics of the Russian czar's Cossack shock troopers. This dark history helps explain the troubling record of brutality and racism that continues to plague the department today.
Clips
The Pennsylvania state police was formed to prevent coal mine strikes in Pennsylvania's coal fields and was established as an all-white, all-native force to serve the interests of the mine owners and their friends.
54:02 - 56:50 (02:47)
Summary
The Pennsylvania state police was formed to prevent coal mine strikes in Pennsylvania's coal fields and was established as an all-white, all-native force to serve the interests of the mine owners and their friends.
ChapterThe dark history of Pennsylvania's state police
EpisodeHow The First Police Went From Gangsters, To An Army For The Rich
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Cossacks were horse-mounted shock troopers used primarily by the czar to quash riots and commit genocide.
56:50 - 58:48 (01:58)
Summary
Cossacks were horse-mounted shock troopers used primarily by the czar to quash riots and commit genocide. When they arrived in the US and witnessed similar brutality from the Pennsylvania police during a miners' strike in 1906, they saw the parallel between the two groups.