History of the New York City Police Department facts for kids

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) started in the mid-1800s when New York City was growing fast. More people meant more crime, especially with many Irish immigrants arriving from the 1820s. To deal with this, the city decided to create a full-time police force.

This new police force was inspired by London's Metropolitan Police, which had just started in 1829. In 1845, the Municipal Police were formed, replacing the old "night watch" system that had been around since the 1600s when the city was called New Amsterdam. Later, in 1857, the Municipal Police were replaced by the Metropolitan Police, which brought together other smaller police groups.

Over time, especially in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the NYPD worked to become more professional and fight against corruption.

How the NYPD Began in the 1800s

Before the NYPD was officially created, New York City had about 320,000 people. Law enforcement was handled by a small group of night watchmen, marshals, constables, and a few municipal police officers.

In 1844, New York State passed a law to create a proper police force and get rid of the old night watch system. However, there was a disagreement between the city council and the mayor about who would choose the officers. Because of this, the law wasn't put into action until 1845. Finally, on May 23, 1845, the city officially created the New York Police Department.

The NYPD was set up like the police in London, England, with a military-style organization, including ranks and order. After much discussion, a navy blue uniform was introduced for officers in 1853.

The Police Riot of 1857

In 1857, state leaders in Albany created a new Metropolitan Police force. They wanted to replace the Municipal Police, which was controlled by New York City's local government.

The mayor of New York City, Fernando Wood, and the Municipal Police didn't want to be replaced. For several months, the city had two police forces: the State-controlled Metropolitans and the Mayor's Municipals. The Metropolitans had about 300 officers, including some who left the Municipal force, but most were new recruits. The Municipals had about 800 officers who stayed loyal to Mayor Wood. People often chose which force to join based on their background, with many immigrants staying with the Municipals.

This situation caused a lot of confusion. Criminals sometimes got away because one police force would arrest them, and the other would release them. Rival officers even fought over police stations. The biggest clash happened in June when a large group of Metropolitan police tried to arrest the mayor at New York City Hall. They were met by many Municipal officers and a large crowd supporting the mayor. A fight broke out, with the mayor's supporters pushing back the Metropolitans.

Eventually, the State-controlled army helped the Metropolitans, and the mayor was served with the arrest warrant. A few days later, a court ruled that the state law creating the Metropolitan Police was valid. Mayor Wood then gave in and disbanded the Municipal Police, leaving the Metropolitans in charge.

Unfortunately, the new Metropolitan Police were not ready for what happened next. On July 4th, Independence Day, riots broke out in the city. The police struggled to control them and even needed help from a local gang called the Bowery Boys when another gang, the Dead Rabbits, attacked the "Mets." Barricades were built, and the fighting lasted for hours. This was the worst rioting in the city since 1849.

NYPD and City Riots

Throughout its history, the NYPD has been involved in many riots in New York City. In July 1863, the city experienced the New York Draft Riots. At that time, many soldiers were away helping the army in Pennsylvania, leaving the police outnumbered as they tried to stop the riots.

Later, in 1874, the Tompkins Square Riot happened. Police broke up a protest involving thousands of unemployed people in Tompkins Square Park.

Fighting Corruption

In the late 1800s, politics and corruption began to affect the NYPD. A powerful political group called Tammany Hall used the police department for its own goals. Politicians would give police jobs to people who supported them. Many officers and leaders in the department took bribes from local businesses, often ignoring illegal activities like selling alcohol. Police also helped with political tasks, like watching polling places, where they might ignore cheating in elections.

In 1894, a group called the Lexow Committee was set up to investigate this corruption. They suggested that the police department should use a civil service system, where people get jobs based on their skills and not political connections. Investigations into corruption have continued to be a regular part of the NYPD's history.

In 1895, Theodore Roosevelt became the head of the NYPD Police Commission. Under his leadership, many changes were made to improve the department.

On January 1, 1898, New York City grew much larger, including Brooklyn. The NYPD then took over eighteen existing police departments. This meant the department needed more modern ways to organize and communicate, as it now protected a much bigger area and over three million people.

The NYPD in the 1900s

Around the start of the 20th century, the NYPD became more professional, especially under Theodore Roosevelt's leadership. With new science and technology, the police force created new specialized units. These included the Bomb Squad in 1905, the Motorcycle Squad in 1911, and the Aviation Unit in 1929. They also started using fingerprinting and mug shots to identify people. In 1919, the department even adopted its own flag.

In 1911, the department hired Samuel J. Battle, its first Black officer. He later became the first Black sergeant and lieutenant, serving for 30 years.

Police Weapons and Uniforms

In 1896, Commissioner Roosevelt approved the purchase of a standard revolver for the NYPD. He also made sure officers had required firearms training. In 1907, a different .38 caliber revolver was adopted. In 1926, the .38 Special cartridge became the standard ammunition.

In 1994, the NYPD changed its main service weapon from revolvers to 9mm semiautomatic pistols. However, officers who had been on the force before 1994 could still choose to carry their revolvers. The .38 Special can still be used as a backup weapon. Also, in 1995, the NYPD changed its uniforms back to a single color of Navy blue for both shirts and pants, after having a two-tone uniform since 1972.

Fighting Corruption in the 1970s and 1990s

In 1970, the Knapp Commission was created to investigate widespread corruption in the NYPD. It found a lot of evidence of officers taking bribes and made many suggestions to fix the problem.

The 1970s were tough for New York City, with financial problems and rising crime. The city's financial crisis meant the NYPD couldn't hire new officers from 1976 to 1980. This was followed by a big increase in murders. By 1990, New York City had a record 2,262 murders, the highest ever for a U.S. city.

In 1992, Mayor David Dinkins appointed the Mollen Commission to investigate corruption again. This commission found that corruption had changed. It was no longer just about bribes; it now involved police brutality, theft, and officers breaking the law themselves.

That same year, Mayor Dinkins suggested creating an independent board for civilian complaints against the police. In response, many NYPD officers protested violently. They blocked traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, demonstrated at City Hall, and shouted insults. About 4,000 officers took part in these protests.

Modern Policing Methods

In the mid-1990s, under Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, the NYPD started using the CompStat program. This program used data to track crime and help police focus their efforts. They also began using "broken windows" policing, which focused on stopping small crimes to prevent bigger ones.

In 1995, the New York City Transit Police and the New York City Housing Authority Police Department joined the NYPD. In 1996, traffic control officers also became part of the NYPD. In 1998, school safety agents joined the newly formed New York City Police Department School Safety Division to make schools safer.

The NYPD in the 2000s

During the September 11 attacks in 2001, 23 NYPD officers died when the World Trade Center collapsed. This was the deadliest year in the department's history. Because of this tragedy and ongoing threats, the NYPD created the Counter-Terrorism Bureau in 2002.

In 2014, the NYPD made its largest gang arrest in New York history, taking in 103 individuals from two housing developments. While shootings in the area decreased, some residents and experts felt that the arrests didn't truly solve the problem of gang crime.

Also in 2014, Eric Garner died after an NYPD officer used an illegal chokehold. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. When a grand jury decided not to charge the officer, it led to many Black Lives Matter protests across the country. In 2019, the officer's employment with the NYPD was ended. In 2020, a statewide law called the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act was passed, making the use of chokeholds a serious crime.

Women in the New York City Police Department

Women have played an important role in the NYPD's history. In 1845, the department hired its first female jail matrons. These women's groups wanted to improve how women and children were treated in police stations. In 1891, the first four official matrons were hired. They were in charge of the station house and the women and children held there. Many were working-class widows with family ties to policing.

In 1895, Minnie Gertrude Kelly became the first woman to work at Police Headquarters as Secretary to the Police Board. In the early 1900s, some matrons started working as detectives, even though their official title was still "matron." In 1912, Isabella Goodwin officially became the first woman in the U.S. to earn the title of first-grade detective.

In 1918, Ellen O'Grady became the first female Deputy Commissioner. In August of that year, the first group of six policewomen was appointed. In 1919, Cora Parchment became the first African American woman in the NYPD, followed by Lawon Bruce. In 1921, the Women's Police Precinct was formed with 20 patrolwomen, but it closed a few years later.

In 1924, the NYPD created the Women's Bureau, which was led by Mary A. Sullivan for 20 years.

In 1934, female officers began practicing with pistols alongside male officers. In 1938, the first civil service exam for "Policewoman" was given, and about 300 women passed. In 1942, a college degree became a requirement for female officers. In 1958, women and men started training together at the Police Academy.

In 1961, Felicia Shpritzer sued to allow women to take the sergeant's exam. As a result, 126 policewomen took the exam in 1964. Shpritzer and Gertrude Schimmel became the first female sergeants. After suing again, they became the first female lieutenants in 1967. Schimmel went on to become the first female police captain in 1971 and the first female deputy inspector in 1972.

In 1970, women were allowed to take the test for Police Administrative Aides, and the first group of women was assigned to patrol. In 1973, the Bureau of Policewomen was closed, and the first gender-neutral civil service exam for police officers was held. Also, "Policewomen" and "Patrolmen" were officially renamed "Police Officers."

In 1974, Gertrude Schimmel became the first female Inspector. In 1976, Captain Vittoria Renzullo became the first female Precinct Commander. In 1977, the first women were assigned to the Homicide Unit.

In 1981, Suzanne Medicis became the first woman to receive the Combat Cross, and Sharon Fields and Tanya Braithwaite became the first women to receive the NYPD's Medal of Honor. In 1984, Irma Lozada became the first female police officer killed while on duty.

In 1991, for the first time, most of the deputy commissioners were female. In 1994, Joyce A. Stephen became the first African-American female captain. In 1995, Gertrude LaForgia became the first female Assistant Chief Borough Commander.

In 2021, Eric Adams, the Mayor-Elect, announced that Keechant Sewell would become the first female Commissioner of the New York Police Department. She also became the third Black Commissioner. Sewell was sworn in on January 1, 2022.

Images for kids

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  The new regulation uniforms of the Municipal Police in 1854

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  Municipal and Metropolitan policemen fight each other in front of the New York City Hall for control over the police force in the New York City Police Riot of 1857. The newly formed New York City Metropolitan Police replaced the former Municipal Police in 1857.

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  NYCPD Officers charging rioters at the offices of the New York Tribune newspaper. New York City draft riots July 1863

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  The regulation uniforms of the Metropolitan Police in 1871

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  A 1871 map of wards and police precincts

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  Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt in 1895 who tried to clean up corruption within the police department

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  Policeman keeping children from a fallen electrical wire in Brooklyn in 1908

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  Department headquarters from 1909–73, at Centre and Broome Streets

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  Policemen with African American protesters during the Bedford–Stuyvesant riot of 1964, an extension of the 1964 Harlem Riot

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  Department K-9 unit officers with a search and rescue dog at the World Trade Center site after the September 11 attacks in 2001

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  Capt. Edyth Totten and women police reserve of the New York City Police Department in 1918