“What’s the Deal With:” The Founding of the Honor Legion of the PDNYC:
The Honor Legion was conceived and formed in January 1912 by Patrolman John W. Frazer who approached Chief Inspector (todays rank of Chief of Department) […]
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Historical Artifact! c. 1855 Frontispiece – The City of Brooklyn PD’s First Chief of Police!
It is always a pleasure receive inquiries from individuals who share the author’s passion for the history of policing in New York City. Most inquiries deal […]
Identifying Mid-19th Century NYC Police Portrait Photos – Municipal Police vs Metropolitan Force Photos
We often receive questions from around the world. After having received several questions relating to photos from the mid-nineteenth century, offer the following information to assist in […]
Detective John E. Roberts – A “Negro” Detective’s Heroic, Historic Career
In the history of policing in the City of New York there have been countless men and women whose acts of bravery and valor have […]
“What’s the Deal:” With the Early History of Police Aviation in New York City? Post WWI (1918) though Fixed Wing Aircraft (1950) – Part 3
If you would like, before proceeding to read Part 3, click here to read Part 1 and Part 2 of this three Part essay! The Post-War (1919) […]
“Everybody Loves a Parade!” A Snapshot of the Tradition of Annual Police Parades in NYC – The 1901 Parade
The Police Department of the City of New York (PDNY) had a long tradition of holding annual parades. The purpose of the parades was two-fold. […]
“What’s the Deal With;” The History of the Central Park Police Force?
The Grandest Park in the World In August 1853, the New York State (NYS) Legislature, and the New York City (NYC) Common Council took action […]
“What’s the Deal:” With the Early History of Police Aviation in New York City – Part 2
Click here to read Part 1 of this multi-part essay then return to this article. The War in Europe; National Defense Preparedness Drove Change As […]
“What’s the Deal With:” The Rich History of the NYPD’s “Lost” 13th Precinct Station-houses in Today’s NYPD 7th Precinct
Introduction: There are dozens of “lost” police precinct station-houses throughout the five boroughs that comprise today’s Greater City of New York. The term “lost,” in […]
“What’s the Deal:” With the Early History of Police Aviation in New York City – Part 1
Introduction Prior to the Great War (1914-1918) the Police Department of the City of New York (PDNYC) adopted, for only a decade, the use of […]
The PDNYC Honor Legion’s World War I Ambulance Driven by Det. Sgt. Martin S. Owens
Introduction: NYC – 1917 – Acting Detective Sergeant Martin Owens, age 33, the son of a policeman, assigned to the Automobile Squad at police HQ, […]
“What’s the Deal With; the Creation of the Inspection Districts”
One thing for certain is that in the latter half of the nineteenth century few, if any, changes in the Police Department of the City […]
A Civil War Veteran’s Rise Through the Ranks of the PDNY to Lead the Department; Peter Conlin’s Clean Record & Career
In the preceding blog post the post-Civil War career of Captain Edward Carpenter, whose career was tainted by a conviction for bribery in an era […]
A Nineteenth Century Police Captain’s Rise and Fall; Captain Edward Carpenter
Edward Carpenter’s career in the post-Civil War Police Department of the City of New York is one of many examples in a study of an […]
April 14, 1972 – The Harlem Muslim Mosque Incident – Justice for Ptl. Cardillo Pending to this Day!
The original purpose of this short post was to provide a link to the official Police Department of the City of New York (PDNY) “Report […]
“What’s the Deal:” With the History of Police Communications in New York City? Part 3: Post WWII Two-Way Radio Communications
Introduction: Parts 1 and 2 of this three part series, covered a myriad of technologies used for communication, some of which co-existed for decades. Part […]
The Police Department of New York City’s First Negro Detective; Acting Det. Sergeant Wesley C. Redding
Wesley C. Redding, Born: August 26, 1892, Atlanta, GA Education: Attended Morehouse College, and college in NYC World War I – Served the PDNY […]
“What’s the Deal:” With the History of Police Communications in New York City? Part 2: The Pre-WWII Era of Voice Radio Communications
Introduction: Part 1 (Click Here to Read Part 1) of this three part article, ended at the advent of the era of the Police Department […]
“What’s the Deal With:” The NYPD’s Tradition of Hosting Christmas Celebrations for Needy Children & Families?
As is the case with many of the selfless and benevolent undertakings performed by New York City’s Finest, the history behind the tradition of addressing […]