2023 – The 125th Anniversary of Today’s NYPD; Symbolized in Department Flag
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 […]
NYPD
NYC Patrolman Peter Hart – His Civil War Act of Valor Inspired National Anthem!
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 Origin of the Official Motto of the NYPD – “Faithful Unto Death” or “Fidelis Ad Mortem”
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
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? […]
The Short-lived Uniform Button Known as the “Murphy Button”
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
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
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”
“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!
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?
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
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”
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
Originally printed on June 21, 1948 by LIFE Magazine This article takes you through a tour with Ptl. Murphy, […]
What’s the Deal?; Freemasonry & the PDNY; The Police Square Club of the City of New York
Many notable police officers and officials of thePolice Department of the City of New York (NYPD) were Freemasons. This post will serve as a starting […]
“What’s the Deal With;” The Legendary Career of Maximillian F. Schmittberger – Part 1 of 2 – “The Dark Side”
Introduction In the history of the policing of City of New York (NYC), there are few “legends” whose careers are more colorful and interesting than […]
“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) […]
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 […]
“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. […]