New York State Police

New York State Police
Name	New York State Police
Motto	"Excelsior"
Formed	April 11, 1917
Employees	~5,000 sworn members
Headquarters	Albany, New York
Country	United States
State	New York
Divtype	Division
Divname	New York State Executive Department
Minister1 name	Kathy Hochul
Minister1 pfo	Governor
Chief1 name	Superintendent Steven G. James
Chief1 position	Superintendent
Website	troopers.ny.gov

New York State Police. The New York State Police is the official state police force of New York, established in 1917. It is a premier statewide law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling highways, investigating major crimes, and providing support to local agencies. The force operates under the New York State Executive Department and is headquartered in the state capital of Albany, New York.

History

The agency was created by an act of the New York State Legislature on April 11, 1917, largely in response to the 1913 Binghamton factory fire and public disorder concerns during World War I. Its first superintendent was George Fletcher Chandler, a former United States Army officer who modeled its structure on the Texas Rangers and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The force played a significant role during the Prohibition era, combating organized crime operations linked to figures like Dutch Schultz. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its investigative capabilities, notably forming the New York State Bureau of Criminal Investigation and responding to major events like the Attica Prison riot and the September 11 attacks.

Organization

The agency is commanded by a Superintendent appointed by the Governor of New York and is divided into several major commands. The Field Command oversees eleven geographic troops, including Troop A in Batavia and Troop K in Poughkeepsie. Specialized units include the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team, the Forensic Identification Center, and the Aircraft Unit. The agency also maintains close operational ties with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and county-level sheriff's departments across the state.

Ranks and insignia

The rank structure is paramilitary, with the Superintendent holding the highest rank, equivalent to a colonel. Commissioned officer ranks include Deputy Superintendent, Major, and Captain, while enlisted ranks consist of Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Trooper. Insignia are worn on uniform collars and shoulder epaulets, with design elements similar to those used by the New York City Police Department and the United States Armed Forces. The distinctive uniform includes a gray shirt and Stetson hat, a tradition dating to the agency's founding.

Training and equipment

Recruits undergo a rigorous 26-week training program at the New York State Police Academy in Albany, New York. The curriculum includes physical training, criminal law, firearms proficiency, and emergency vehicle operation. The primary service weapon is the Glock pistol, and patrol vehicles are predominantly the Ford Police Interceptor Utility and the Chevrolet Tahoe. The fleet also includes specialized vehicles for the Collision Reconstruction Unit and aircraft such as Bell 407 helicopters. Troopers are equipped with advanced technology including body cameras and mobile data terminals linked to the New York Statewide Police Information Network.

Duties and jurisdiction

The agency possesses statewide jurisdiction to enforce the Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, and other statutes. Primary duties include highway patrol on major roadways like the New York State Thruway and Interstate 87, major crime investigation through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and counter-terrorism support. It provides security for the New York State Capitol and the Governor's residence, and assists during emergencies in coordination with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the National Guard.

Notable incidents and controversies

The agency was critically involved in the 1971 Attica Prison riot, where troopers participated in the assault to retake the facility. In 2006, the New York State Attorney General investigated allegations of political espionage within the agency, known as "Troopergate." A significant use-of-force controversy arose from the 2007 death of a driver following a pursuit on the New York State Thruway, leading to policy reforms. The agency's response to the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape in Dannemora and its extensive role in the manhunt for the perpetrators received national attention.

Category:Law enforcement agencies of New York (state) Category:State law enforcement agencies of the United States Category:1917 establishments in New York (state)