New York State Police

History

Establishment

A number of proposals to create a state police force occurred during the early 1900s, but faced considerable opposition from trade union interests. They feared the police would be used against union organizing, as was happening in several other states, particularly with the Coal and Iron Police in Pennsylvania.

The New York State Police was established following the 1913 murder of Sam Howell, a construction foreman in Bedford, Westchester County, and failure of the local police to arrest suspects he had named before his death.

In March 1917, the New York State Legislature passed a bill to establish a state police force and appropriated $500,000 in funding. The bill was signed into law on April 11, 1917 by New York Governor Charles Seymour Whitman.

20th century

The division's first superintendent was George Fletcher Chandler, who was appointed by Governor Whitman. Chandler is credited with much of the division's early organization and development. Chandler coined the term "New York State Troopers." He was an early advocate of officers carrying their weapons exposed on a belt, which was not common practice at the time.

In 1920, the New York State Troopers had a conviction rate of 94.6 percent.

On January 1, 1980, the Long Island State Parkway Police merged with the state police; this resulted in the official establishment of Troop L. In October 1997, the New York State Capital Police was consolidated and absorbed into the state police.

Since February 1994, the agency has accepted DNA evidence for forensic investigation and analysis. The New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center (FIC) opened in November 1996. The Crime Laboratory performs DNA analysis for state investigations and for local law enforcement. It includes a new DNA Data Bank Section that compiles DNA records from violent felons sentenced to prison in New York State. These records can be searched and compared by computer to other evidence collected in unsolved crimes.

21st century

In December 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the New York State Park Police was to be merged with the New York State Police. The merger was expected to take about six months. Cuomo resigned in August 2021, and by January 2022, New York officials announced that the two police forces would remain separate.

From its establishment in 1917 until 2024, a total of 162 officers and 2 K9s have died in the line of duty.

Structure and organization

The NYSP divides New York state geographically into eleven "Troops," each comprising a specific geographic area, usually several counties. Each is supervised by a "Troop Commander" usually of the rank of Major. NYSP Troops cover the following counties and regions as listed:

Each Troop encompasses 4 "Zones" which are referred to simply by a Zone number. There are up to several "sub-stations" located within each zone.

Ranks

Uniforms

Trooper uniforms are made of grey wool, with the exception of the Gore-Tex jacket. Prior to 1958, uniforms (shirts, jackets and britches) were woven of equal parts white fiber and black fiber to symbolize the impartiality of justice. The NYSP do not wear a badge on their uniform shirts.

Equipment

Current equipment

Previously issued equipment

• Glock 21 Gen 4 .45 ACP (2018–2024)
• Glock 37 .45 GAP (2007–2018)
• Glock 17 9mm (1990–2007)
• Smith & Wesson Model 681 .357 Magnum
• Smith & Wesson Model 13 .357 Magnum
• Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 Special

Aviation

Notes

References

References

1. "NYS DOB: FY 2018 Executive Budget {{!}} Agency Appropriations {{!}} State Police, Division of".
2. (22 October 2025). "Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Announces Graduation of 238 New Troopers From the 217th Session of the State Police Basic School".
3. Van de Water, Frederic Franklyn. (1922). "Grey riders : the story of the New York state troopers". New York : Putnam's Sons.
4. "Sam Howell Murder".
5. "Sam Howell Remembered".
6. "The Wells-Mills Bill".
7. Van de Water, Frederic Franklyn. (1922). "Grey riders : the story of the New York state troopers". New York : Putnam's Sons.
8. [https://www.troopers.ny.gov/Introduction/History/1990s/], Troopers, NY
9. (3 December 2019). "Gov. Cuomo says New York State Police will absorb State Park Police Officers in union-backed move".
10. (25 January 2022). "Officials: New York State park police, troopers to stay separate".
11. "New York State Police, NY".
12. NYSP site http://www.troopers.ny.gov/Contact_Us/Troop_Information/
13. Rife, Judy. (October 11, 2010). "DOT takes over maintenance on I-84". Times Herald-Record.
14. "The Ultimate Guide to the State Police Uniforms of All 50 States".
15. "Glock 37".
16. "Switch to Semi-Automatic Pistol".
17. "Current Equipment".
18. (2025-03-12). "New York State Police orders Airbus H160 and three H145 helicopters {{!}} Airbus".