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| Mounted
Unit (Est. 1871) horse facing to the left is the
current patch with the letters N.Y.C.P.D. added |
|
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The Mounted Unit has earned a
reputation as being the vanguard whenever the Department
is called upon to police the events that involve vast
numbers of people, for which the city is famous. Seldom
is public attention so magnetically drawn to police as it
is to an officer on horseback. A consensus of opinion is
that a Mounted officer is more approachable than an
officer on foot or in a patrol car.
| "Mounted
Unit - NYPD, New York City Police
Foundation" |
|
| Police
Academy (Est. 1925) This patch was discon- tinued
in the fall of 1973, reinstated in June of 1994 |
|
| Motorcycle
District (Est. 1910) District Patch |
|
In 1925, separate units
such as the School of Equitation and the School of
Detectives were merged into a formal Police Academy.
Their motto "Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve"
was adopted and still used today. Police Commissioner
Joseph Warren changed the name of the Police Academy to
"The Police College" in 1928, and in 1934, it
became once again "Police Academy." By 1974,
the curriculum was accredited by the State University of
New York. A Master's degree program was established in
cooperation with the New York Institute of Technology in
1986.
| "A
History of Police Training in New York City" |
|
In 1912, the Motorcycle
Squad consisted of one sergeant and twenty-three
patrolmen. They had twenty-five motorcycles with two in
storage. Motorcycle repairs were performed by the
Division of Horses and Equipment. The Motorcycle Squad,
in 1917, became a Motorcycle Division consisting of three
Motorcycle Squads: Squad #1 assigned to the boroughs of
Manhattan, the Bronx and Richmond; Squad #2 assigned to
the borough of Brooklyn; and Squad #3 assigned to the
borough of Queens.
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| Motorcycle
District (Est. 1910) Precinct No.1 patch |
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| Motorcycle
District (Est. 1910) Precinct No.2 patch |
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| In 1929, the Motorcycle
Division became the Motorcycle Bureau, which consisted of
one inspector, two lieutenants, one sergeant, and its
first radio motor patrol car. Under the Motorcycle Bureau
there were three Motorcycle Squads. Squad One had 3
motor- cycle lieutenants, 4 motorcycle sergeants, and 127
motorcycle patrolmen; Squad Two had 2 motorcycle
lieutenants, 5 motorcycle sergeants, and 102 motorcycle
patrolmen and Squad Three had 4 motorcycle lieutenants, 3
motorcycle sergeants, and 72 motorcycle patrolmen. Later,
the Motorcycle Bureau became the Motorcycle District.
|
During 1929, there were 21
heavy armored motorcycles with bulletproof windshields.
Fifteen had sidecars of which six were kept for the
disposal of the "Gunmen's Squad." According to
the NYPD's annual report of 1929, the "Gunmen's
Squad" was composed of a number of men from each
borough for the purpose of driving loafers, criminals,
gangsters and disorderly characters from the streets,
speakeasies, pool parlors and dance halls. it was
reported that they kept 198 known gangsters on the run
and "axed "every illegal "still" they
found.
"Deputy
Commissioner Public Information NYPD"
"Spring 3100 - Nov./Dec. 1992" |
|
| Motorcycle District
(Est. 1910) Precinct No.3 patch |
|
| Motorcycle District
(Est. 1910) Motorcycle G.C.P. (Grand Central
Parkway) patch |
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| In the 1930s,
Squads became Precincts: Motorcycle Precinct #1 was
reassigned to the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx.
Motorcycle Precinct #2 was reassigned to the boroughs of
Brooklyn and Richmond. Motorcycle Precinct #3 was
reassigned to the borough of Queens and designated as the
Grand Central Parkway, referred to as Motorcycle
"G.C.P." In 1955, the Indian Motorcycle Company
stopped manufacturing the red motorcycles used by the
NYPD, and then the NYPD went to the silver Harley
Davidson Motorcycle.
In 1959, a Motorcycle School on
Randalls Island located under the Triboro Bridge was
closed and reopened at Jacob Riis Park located in Queens
in 1961. In 1963, the Safety Enforcement Squad (S.E.S.)
merged with the Motorcycle District. Motorcycle Grand
Central Parkway became the Motorcycle Precinct #3, and
with it was added Motorcycle Precinct #4.
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| Motorcycle District
(Est. 1910) Precinct No.4 patch |
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| Highway District (Est.
1972) Highway Patrol patch |
|
| In 1972, the merging of
the Motorcycle Precincts #1, #2, #3, #4, and the Accident
Investigation Squad (A.I.S.), which included the
Intoxicated Driver Testing Unit, formed the Highway
District. As part of the merger, Motorcycle Precincts
were renamed Highway Units. Highway Unit #1 was
responsible for the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx,
Highway Unit #2 was responsible for the borough of
Brooklyn and Highway #3 was responsible for the borough
of Queens.
|
Highway
Patrol patch replaces all Motorcycle patches. The mission of the Highway District is to
expedite the movement of traffic and promote vehicle
safety on limited access highways. Highway District is
responsible for enforcement of traffic laws; investigation
of accidents which involve serious injury and possible
death; testing of persons arrested for driving
under the influence of alcohol or drugs; Presidential,
dignitary and other escorts; mobile response to disorders
and extrication of persons pinned in vehicles.
| "Deputy
Commissioner Public Information NYPD" |
|
| Highway District (Est.
1972) Highway Patrol patch |
|
|
Current
Highway Patrol patch with NYC Police added to the top. Highway District has a Motor Carrier Safety
Unit in each Highway Unit that is responsible for the
enforcement of Federal, State and City regulations
pertaining to trucking, transportation and disposal of
hazardous materials, inspecting and weighing trucks to
reduce accidents, disablements and the deterioration of
City's highways.
| "Deputy
Commissioner Public Information NYPD" |
|
Unit
patches are not commissioned by the Police Department.
Members of the unit have them made up and sometimes sewn
on caps. Other versions of the unit patch exist. The Police Academy Driver Education Training
Unit Program is not a high speed course. Recruits are
tested in four areas:
1. Actual on street driving to include proper techniques
at intersections and limited access roadways.
2. Performance on the Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course
(E.V.O.C.) and backing.
3. Knowledge test on Defensive Driving Vehicle Dynamics,
Maintenance and Policy.
4. 12 passenger van-field evaluations.
| "Police
Student's Guide Driver Training" |
|
| Traffic Squad (Est.
1895) Traffic patch |
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| Manhattan Traffic Area
(Est. 1975) Traffic patch |
|
The
Traffic patch WHEEL: is progress - HORSE: is
horse & carriage traffic. This is the
oldest patch of the NYPD. In 1904, the difficulties
facing the public were a maze of people, horses, bicycles
and vehicles vying for space on the streets that were
often unpaved, muddy or dusty. The great number of horses
on the streets that year was evidenced by the Mounted
Division having a major unit called the "Traffic
Squad." As vehicles rapidly grew in popularity,
their great numbers on the street caused traffic jams.
The "Bicycle Squad" which had been formed as a
branch of the Traffic Squad by Theodore Roosevelt in 1895
was also used to catch speeders exceeding the city limit
of eight (8) mph.
| "Spring 3100 -
Nov / Dec 1990 & 1992" |
|
Current
Traffic patch with NYC Police and Traffic on it. The"Manhattan Traffic
Area" was organized when traffic "Unit A"
and "Unit B" merged in 1995. It is responsible
for the safety enforcement and expedient movement of all
traffic in Manhattan from 66th Street to the Battery, and
East River to the Hudson River, including Williamsburg,
Queensborough, Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. In
addition to providing a mobile response to disorders and
emergency incidents, the "Manhattan Traffic
Area" implements traffic plans and investigates
vehicles impounded or towed away by the Department of
Transportation.
| "Traffic
Division - NYPD" |
|
|
| Communications Bureau
(Est. 1845) Comm. patch |
|
Unit
patches are not commissioned by the Police Department.
Members of the unit have them made up and sometimes sewn
on caps. Other versions of the unit patch exist.The K-9, due to its acute sense
of smell, is an effective means of investigating crime
scenes, weapons, evidence recovery and searches for lost
people in buildings and open fields. K-9s are also
capable of tracking suspects, scent discrimination or
apprehending fleeing felons. K-9 teams are not used for
crowd control or as a deterrent at peaceful
demonstrations. The K-9 program is fielding 13 patrol
canines in eleven precincts and 3 Bloodhounds in the
Special Operations Division.
| "S.O.D. -
Canine unit - NYPD" |
|
Back in
1651, citizens who were selected as watchmen would twirl
a wooden ratchet if they needed assistance. Ninety years
later, watchmen turned in their rattles for a bell and
lantern. In 1845, one of the first orders of business by
the bureau was to adopt the latest technology, the
telegraph. Signal boxes were installed on the streets and
patrolmen used Morse Code to contact precincts. Later,
the signal boxes were equipped with telephones and green
lights. A one-way Radio Motor Patrol was formally
established in 1932 followed by RMPs with a two-way
system in 1937.
| "Spring 3100 -
Jan / Feb 1991" |
|
| Communications Bureau
(Est. 1845) Comm. patch |
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|
October
14, 1973, was the day the multimillion dollar
communication complex went into full operation occupying
two floors at 1 Police Plaza. It has been designed,
equipped and staffed to bring the full resources of the
Department to the public faster and more efficiently. In
the 1990s, fiber-optics, microwave transmissions, lasers
and the use of cellular phones has speeded communication
between the street officer and the precinct. Police
officers attached to precincts and specialized squads
provide more comprehensive information and assistance
than any prior system.
"Spring 3100 -
Jan / Feb 1991"
"Deputy Commissioner Public Information
NYPD" |
|
Unit
patches are not commissioned by the Police Department.
Members of the unit have them made up and sometimes sewn
on caps. Other versions of the unit patch exist. The Movie
- TV Unit is responsible for traffic and crowd control at
various street locations throughout the five boroughs.
Whenever a motion picture, TV movie or a commercial is
filmed on location in New York City, the Movie - TV Unit
responds. There are 22 police officers in the unit. Some
of the films and TV movies filmed in New York City are:
Kojack; The French Connection; The Taking of
Pelham 123; Fort Apache The Bronx; The Equalizer and Law
& Order.
|
Emergency Service
Division (Est. 1930)
Emergency Squad patch |
|
Emergency Service
Division (Est. 1930)
Emergency Squad patch |
|
The Emergency Service Unit is the result of
years of evolution. It traces its roots back to the old
reserve system used by the NYPD to insure the
availability of personnel in the event of a large scale
emergency. During the days of the reserve system , there
were nine larger open trucks assigned throughout the city
to transport this reserve force to where they were
needed. In 1930, the reserve system was abolished, and
with the permanent assignment of police officers, many of
whom had specialized trades, the Emergency Service
Division was officially formed.
| "Deputy
Commissioner Public Information NYPD" |
Emergency Squad
patch with Police added to the top. By the 1950s, there was a need
to become a more mobile unit and respond to the immediate
needs of the patrol force. The smaller "Radio
Emergency Patrol Vehicle" (R.E.P.) was developed to
augment the police presence by patrolling various
precincts with additional equipment on board instead of
having to wait for the larger truck to respond. During
the remainder of the fifties and well into the sixties,
more modern rescue tools and lifesaving equipment were
added to complement the equipment carried on each R.E.P.,
as the vehicle has come to be known.
| "Deputy
Commissioner Public Information NYPD" |
|
Emergency Service
Division (Est. 1930)
Emergency Squad patch |
|
| Firearms Instructor
(Est. 1895) Unit patch |
|
Current
Emergency Squad patch with Police and NYPD added. As society seemed to swing
toward more violent acts, such as bombings, terrorist
attacks, and hostage taking, the Emergency Service Unit
had to update its tactics. Working with other specialized
units, both from within the Department and outside
agencies, many innovative tactics were developed. The
unit had the responsibility of providing support for
sensitive operations such as visiting dignitaries, large
scale narcotics raids, electrical lighting,
anti-terrorist tactics and high-rise fire rescues. It has
been said that when citizens are in trouble, they call
for a cop. When cops are in trouble, they call for the
Emergency Service.
"Spring 3100 -
Jul / Aug 1989"
"Deputy Commissioner Public Information
NYPD" |
|
Unit
patches are not commissioned by the Police Department.
Members of the unit have them made up and sometimes sewn
on caps. Other versions of the unit patch exist. In 1895 a school of pistol
practice was set up by a board of five police
commissioners. Today all uniformed members attend
firearms qualification courses twice per year, using the
indoor range at the Academy and the outdoor range at
Rodman's Neck in the Bronx. Various special weapons
qualification courses are conducted at the Firearms and
Tactics Section for use with the 9mm, shotgun, and
undercover weapons.
| "Spring 3100 -
February 1964" |
|
| Trainee P.D.N.Y. Trainee
patch discontinued |
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| Trainee P.D.N.Y. Trainee
patch discontinued |
|
Section
434a-8.0 of the Administrative Code of the City of New
York was amended in order to permit police trainees to be
appointed as patrolmen without further written
examination. The philosophy of the Police Trainee Program
was to recruit potential police officers between the ages
of 17 and 21 years before they built an equity in
business that might reduce interest in a police career.
Civil Service competitive examinations for the position
of police trainee were given periodically. The Trainee
Program is no longer in use.
| "Police Trainee
Program - July 1, 1970" |
|
This
patch was worn over the left breast of a shirt. The people of the City of New
York, as well as the NYPD, derived many advantages from
the Police Trainee Program. The public benefited by
having additional manpower placed on patrol, i.e., by
having clerical patrolmen relieved from non-law
enforcement duties by police trainees. The largest number
of police recruits and trainees in the history of the
Department had their basic training in 1968.
Approximately 300 police trainees that made up the
recruit class of 1971 were appointed, upon reaching
maturity, to the rank of Patrolman. The Trainee Program
is no longer in use.
"Police Trainee
Program - July 1, 1970"
"A History of Police Training in New York
City" |
|
The Police Marching Band
(Est. 1903)
Police Marching Band patch |
|
|
The Band
was first organized by a group of twenty patrolmen in
1903. Membership in the police band increased with the
years bringing stature, prestige and morale to the
Department. A leading part was played by the band in the
presidential inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In
1954, the police band was discontinued in order to
augment the patrol force. In 1991, at Police Commissioner
W. Kelly's request, the band was revived. The band has
performed at many City parades, and in 1993, received its
first performance award at New York State Firearms
Parade.
| "The New York
City Police Band" |
|
Created as
a training ground for the "Police Executives of the
21st Century," the Cadet Corps program provides
qualified college men and women with a chance to
experience the challenges and personal rewards of a
leadership career in the NYPD. The Cadet Corps represents
a major initiative designed to ensure that future police
leaders are both better educated and more representative
of the racial and ethnic diversity of the city. The Cadet
Corps provides a unique opportunity to test one's ability
and commitment to improve the quality of life for the
people of New York City.
| "New York City
Police Academy" |
|
|
