New York State Police

New York State Police
The New York State Police was founded on April 11, 1917 in response to an outcry from a lack of policing in rural areas of the state. The first of the original 237 officers and men began training at a National Guard Camp in Manlius, New York. The NYSP's first Superintendent George F.Chandler M.D., christened the training facility Camp Newayo, in honor of Ms. Newell and Ms. Mayo, the two Westchester County women who advocated so ardently and are credited for the impetus to form the NYSP. Although established initially as a mounted police force, the State Police quickly realized the value of the automobile. In 1918 they added Model T Fords to their equipment and also purchased three motorcycles per Troop. Enforcement of vehicle and traffic laws became an increasingly important part of the Troopers' duties. Troopers gradually assumed more responsibility for vehicle and traffic safety, taking over all motor vehicle enforcement from the Motor Vehicle Bureau in 1926. Seventeen men were added to each Troop because of the new duties, bringing the authorized strength to 584, more than double the original complement. In 1928, the State Police began policing the parks and parkways on Long Island for the first time, the beginning of what came to be informally known as "Troop L." The number of automobiles and motorcycles also increased and, in 1929, 112 Troopers on motorcycles were assigned full time to traffic enforcement duty. During the 1930s vehicle and traffic enforcement became an increasingly important part of the Troopers' duties. In 1937, the first Traffic Bureau was established. It was in 1937, too, that the first formal course in Vehicle and Traffic enforcement was included in the curriculum of the State Police School. Although mounted patrols would continue throughout the decade, the number of miles covered on horseback would steadily decline and, in 1935, would fall below 50,000 miles for the first time in the History of the Division. In 1934, the first Diving Unit was established, and a Truck and Bus Squad was created to enforce commercial vehicle laws and check for overloaded trucks. The end of World War II and the resurgence of highway traffic tolled the death knell for one of the oldest State Police traditions, as well. Mounted patrol miles had declined steadily throughout the 1930s and early 1940s. In 1947, only 2,115 miles were patrolled on horseback, less than 1/100th of the number 30 years before. In 1948, for the first time in its History, the New York State Police did not report any mounted patrols. Another major change was the opening, in 1954, of the New York State Thruway. The New York State Police assumed sole responsibility for policing the Thruway and its authorized strength was increased from 899 to 1201 members in 1953 in order to provide the additional Thruway patrols. Troop cars also got a new look. In 1955 the gray patrol cars were replaced by new black and whites. In the same year patrol cars on the Thruway were painted blue and cream and, for the first time, had sirens and flashing red lights installed on the roof. Three new Troops were authorized. The Thruway Detail was officially designated Troop T in 1961. In 1967, Troop E began operating from its new headquarters in Canandaigua, and Troop F began operations the following year. On January 1, 1980, the New York State Police took over responsibility for policing the Long Island Parkway and three shorter parkways upstate. The Parkway Police who were providing these services were absorbed into the New York State Police. Troop L Headquarters relocated from Islip Terrace to a new Headquarters Facility in Farmingdale. In addition to direct police services, the New York State Police developed a wide range of sophisticated investigative and support services during the 1980s that are available to law enforcement agencies across the State to assist them in their police activities. These include Violent Criminal Investigative Services, computerized databases and analyses, forensic laboratory services, access to specialists in forensic sciences, mobile response teams and training. These are provided in addition to services established in earlier decades such as Hazardous Materials Specialists, Canine Units, Aviation and divers. The New York State Police continues its tradition of cooperating with, assisting and supporting local and county law enforcement agencies across the Empire State. .
New York State Flag Emblazoned on a dark blue field is the state coat of arms. The goddess Liberty holds a pole with a Liberty Cap on top. Liberty stands for freedom. At her feet is a discarded crown, representing freedom from England at the end of the revolutionary war. On the right is the goddess, Justice. She wears a blindfold and carries the scales of justice. Meaning that everyone receives equal treatment under the law. The state motto "Excelsior" on a white ribbon expresses the idea of reaching upward to higher goals. On the shield a sun rises over the Hudson highlands and ships sail the Hudson river. Above the shield is an eagle resting on a globe representing the Western Hemisphere.
1934 Issue	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1937 Issue with named base mounted opposite* Courtesy of Dan Coviello
Click image for a larger picture
Click image for a larger picture
1946 Issue	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1948 issue Courtesy of Kevin Kailbourne - NYSP (Ret)	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1957 Base* Picture courtesy of the New York State Police
*1962-1963 issue- Division of State Police* Plate from the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1964 issue- DSP=Division of State Police Yellow over black on the rare "World's Fair" base	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1968-1973 issue- 6000 series= Troop F. Although this particular plate which was attached to the restored NYSP 1972 Plymouth shown in the adjoining photo is a reproduction, it was created from a photograph of a period-used plate. The color, layout and even die-type is identical to the original, with the only detraction being that this plate is made of thin aluminum as opposed to the embossed steel that would have been used at that time.	Restored 1972 Plymouth Fury I operated by Yan Salomon- NYSP
1973-1984 issue- 1000 series= Troop A (Batavia) Plate from the Robert Ward Collection	Photo Courtesy of Monty McCord
1973-1984 issue- 10 = Long Island Troop	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1984-1986 issue- Troop L (Long Island) Car/Radio Call Number 31 The same plate that is on the Trooper car to the right!
1984-1986 issue- Troop T = Thruway Zone 2- Car 81	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1986-1994 issue- Zone 2 Troop F (Middletown) Car/Radio Call Number 4	Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
1986-1994 issue. No dash separator (Troop E = Canandaigua- Zone 1- car 80)	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1986-1994 issue- Sample* Courtesy of Larry Austin- NYSP (Ret)
1995 issue- Preliminary or "slashed zero" type. Zone 2 Troop L (Long Island) Car/Radio Number 20. These were the first plates to be produced by the Azon-Utsch Co. of NJ -(The German company responsible for all these flat license plates you see around all over the country now) When a zero was used on these plates it was shown as "Ø" to distinguish it from the letter "O". Since the "Ø" was being mistaken for an "8" from a distance, a general order from HQ in Albany was given to recall all the "slashed zero" plates and replaced with "clean" zero versions. These plates were slated for destruction, but a few of these rare types escaped the shredder.	Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
1995-Current issue. "Clean zero" type. Zone 1 Troop H (Headquarters) Car/Radio Number 60. This plate was given to me by former NYSP Superintendent James W. McMahon whom I had the pleasure and honor of meeting and working with at the 108th IACP Conference held in Toronto, Ontario just one month after the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Norm is actively seeking this type of NYSP plate for his private collection, if you can help, please drop him an e-mail. Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
1995-Current issue. Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course vehicle from NYSP Academy.
*Current issue* Low Speed crash simulator used to demonstrate the importance of air bags and seat belt use.
*Sample plate of current issue*
*Motorcycle plate - Current Issue* We are looking for one of these for our private collection. If you can help, please drop Coop an e-mail	Special thanks to Sgt. Meyers - NYSP
Current issue Association of Former New York State Troopers-personal use. Courtesy of Larry Austin- NYSP (Ret)
Current issue New York State Trooper retiree's plate -personal use. Courtesy of Larry Austin- NYSP (Ret)
Embossed aluminum 90th Anniversary plate
Embossed aluminum promotional plate 1990's/2000's. Courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection
Circa 1999 booster plate. Grey background. Embossed thin aluminum