History of the 

New York 

Police Department

The Police Department Patch

The Police Department Patch  was introducewd to members of the service on Juli 1, 1971, after careful develoment and design.

The patch at its center contains elements from the official seal of the New York Police Department. The figures represented on the patch are a shield with the sails of a windmill. The windmill representative of the Dutch, who colonized New York. The supporters of the shield are Dexter, a sailor representative of the shipping trade - his right arm bent, and holding in his right hand, a plummet witch was a navigationaldevice of the period. Sinister, an indian of Manhattan, representative of the original inhabitants of the island of Manhattan. An American eagle with wings spread sits on top of the shield. Above the eagle are five stars witch represent the five boroughs that comprise the City of New York; above the scars are the Scales of Justice representative of the Police Department

The Police Flag

During the year of 1919 the Police Flag, representative of the Police Department of the City of New York, was adopted and is reproduced on the right.

The disposition of the jack and the stripes is that consecrated in American tradition by the National colors.

The five alternate bars of the white and brilliant green have been chosen to symblolize the five boroughs of Greater New York.

The original group of villages, towns and cities which have by coalescense formed the Greater City of New York are placed in the circular constellation of white stars upon the field of the jack. The cities form the centre of this constellation, the towns surround the cities, villages lie in an outer circle about the towns - and these stars reposing in unbroken order have been set upon a field  of deep blue - the color of the uniform by which the guardians of our security and order are daily recognized by the millions who are within the shielding of their vigilance and strenght.

The fringes and tassels of gold, the blue field and the white stars and stripes, bring all the collors of our City Flag in this, our Police Flag.

The brilliant green is the traditional and sentimental Police color.

SIGNIFICANT DATES IN THE HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

(Sheriff Attorney) was the original policeman in New Amsterdam

And the English rule brought British Army regulars to police the port colony

 And instalation of a Constable's Watch, consisting of a High Constable and 12 Sub-Constables. The 12 stars on the medal of honor are representative of the 12 Constables.

The town fathers in the city of 25,000 appointed a night watch consisting one Captain and 28 men.

Was appointed High Constable and retained title for 50 years.

Was abolished and 800 officers were empowered to enforce the laws. They wore brass or copper stara on their chests but refused to wear uniforms considering them "Badges of Servitude"

Declaring the Municipal Police Force unable to keep the paece, the republican state legislature created the Metropolitan Police Force. The state and the city forces patrolled the city together until they came to blows on the stepps of City Hall as the state police attemted to arrest the Mayor.

A sidewheel steamboat takes first cruise in New York Harbor for newly created Harbor Precinct.

Established in the city.

Created by Act of Legislature with 31 men under command of Inspector Thomas Byrnes.

The first four policewoman called "Matrons" were appointed. In 1899, the matrons became part of the uniformed force.

Appointed as a member of the Police Board.

Of all county police into one department.

Is created at ceremonies in North Beach, Queens.

Opened establishing Radio Motor Patrol.

 First Female Police Sergeants Appointed

 Current Department Patch introduced