The History of Policing in the City of New York

The History of Policing in the City of New York

This site is not affiliated with the NYPD or NYC. This educational website is dedicated to the men and women of the Police Department of the City of Greater New York who gave life and/or limb in the performance of their duties. "Where the world turns for the history of New York's Finest."

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Articles by Administrator

2023 – The 125th Anniversary of Today’s NYPD; Symbolized in Department Flag

February 6, 2023 Administrator 0

2023 – The 125th Anniversary of Greater NYC & Today’s NYPD; Symbolized in Department Flag Introduction: This year, 2023, marks the 125th Anniversary (1898-2023) of […]

NYC Patrolman Peter Hart – His Civil War Act of Valor Inspired National Anthem!

July 8, 2022 Administrator 0

Introduction: This is the story of the heroic action of New York City (NYC) police officer, Patrolman Peter Hart, who was a veteran soldier, and […]

The Shocking & Untimely Death of Lt. John T. Callahan, January 10, 1909

February 19, 2022 Administrator 0

Introduction A time-honored maxim of the Police Department of the City of New York (PDNY/NYPD) is to “Never Forget” those who sacrificed their lives in […]

The Origin of the Official Motto of the NYPD – “Faithful Unto Death” or “Fidelis Ad Mortem”

January 23, 2022 Administrator 0

The Official Motto vs. a Popular Maxim The official motto of the Police Department of the City of New York (NYPD/PDNY) is “Faithful Unto Death,” […]

NYPDHistory.com Makes History; The Youngest Officer in The World to be Designated as a Line of Duty Death

January 6, 2022 Administrator 1

This article is a sequel to then article published on this website on April 23, 2016, entitled: The Lost History of the PDNY’s Junior Police Force? […]

Early New York City Police “Badges” & Emblems of Office – 1800-1845

October 11, 2020 Administrator 0

Introduction: Ask a police historian or collector when the earliest police badge was issued in the City of New York and he/she will likely tell […]

Police Collectors News – Chronicled NYPDHistory

September 21, 2018 Administrator 0

©2018 Copyright All Rights Reserved NYPDHistory.com is pleased to have learned that the nation’s premier publication on the hobby and passion of collecting police memorabilia […]

The Career of Italian Squad Detective Michael Mealli

September 4, 2018 Administrator 0

Background Debates on immigration and concerns about admitting criminals into this country have existed for centuries. During each period of immigration, the police dealt with […]

The History & Lineage of the NYPD’s 108th Precinct, Long Island City?

August 26, 2018 Administrator 0

Introduction Historians agree that in 1853, Captain Levy Hayden, Superintendent of the Marine Railway, Hunter’s Point, Queens, possessed the foresight to realize that the localities […]

The Short-lived Uniform Button Known as the “Murphy Button”

August 4, 2018 Administrator 0

Introduction On January 1, 1898, the Consolidation Act took effect and gave New York City (NYC) control of the various towns, villages, cities and other […]

The History of Policing on Brooklyn’s Coney Island

July 19, 2018 Administrator 0

In April 2018, a well-known and long-established badge collector contacted NYPDHistory and requested that research be conducted regarding several police shields in his collection. After […]

1984 – The Year the NYPD Introduced Small Computing to the Job

May 31, 2018 Administrator 0

1984 – Only 34 years ago. – The #NYPD first introduced “new technologies” that allowed officers the rapid retrieval of data and the ability to […]

What’s the Deal With;” The Legendary Career of Maximillian F. Schmittberger – Part 2 of 2 – “The Bright Side”

May 24, 2018 Administrator 0

“That men may rise on stepping-stones of their dead selves to higher things.”  – Unknown Poet’s “Truth” Introduction Part 1 of this two part article […]

The History of Medals of Valor in the NYPD & FDNY Captured in Individual Posters!

May 7, 2018 Administrator 1

Posters are © Copyright 2017 Ed Sere All Rights Reserved WOW! These are the NEW (Copyrighted 2017) versions of the famous 2007 posters created by […]

What’s the Deal With; The Lineage of Jewish Police Chaplains in the NYPD?

April 30, 2018 Administrator 0

    What’s the Deal With; The Lineage of Jewish Police Chaplains in the NYPD? After posting the last article “What’s the Deal With; The […]

What’s the Deal With; The “Genesis” of the NYPD’s Police Chaplains

April 26, 2018 Administrator 0

Background Police Commissioner (PC) Theodore A. Bingham, also known and referred to as “General Bingham,” served as PC of the Police Department of the City […]

The History Behind the Present Rank Structure in the NYPD & The “Slaughter of 1907”

April 21, 2018 Administrator 0

Introduction For months, rumors that Police Commissioner (PC) Theodore A. Bingham (1906-1909) was working on an amendment to the Charter of Greater New York that […]

1948 – A Night on the Beat with Patrolman James W. Murphy, 23rd Precinct

March 31, 2018 Administrator 0

Originally printed on June 21, 1948 by LIFE Magazine This article takes you through a tour with Ptl. Murphy,             […]

The Genesis of the “Wheel-Horse” Shoulder Patch

March 26, 2018 Administrator 0

Sometimes questions from readers make for interesting research and articles. I hope that you find that this article is such a case. Please keep the questions […]

There’s a Million Stories in the Naked City. This is One of Them – Ptl. Joseph W. Schecker – One of a “Million”

February 27, 2018 Administrator 0

The biographies posted on NYPDHistory.com tend to cover officers whose careers have caused them to stand out from their peers. To date, some of the […]

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  • 2023 – The 125th Anniversary of Today’s NYPD; Symbolized in Department Flag
  • NYC Patrolman Peter Hart – His Civil War Act of Valor Inspired National Anthem!
  • The Shocking & Untimely Death of Lt. John T. Callahan, January 10, 1909
  • The Origin of the Official Motto of the NYPD – “Faithful Unto Death” or “Fidelis Ad Mortem”
  • NYPDHistory.com Makes History; The Youngest Officer in The World to be Designated as a Line of Duty Death

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