Overview
2017 marked the kickoff of a year-long celebration in honor of the 100th anniversary of the New York State Police, one of the largest and most respected law enforcement agencies in the nation.
The State Police, which was founded in 1917, unveiled a new website to mark the centennial and planned numerous public events, including a new State Fair exhibit and open house events at each Troop headquarters.
Click here to read the full press release.
History
Proudly Serving Since 1917.
Since the first 232 men rode out of the New York State Fair on horseback to begin patrolling New York's rural areas, Troopers have been there to fulfill the law enforcement needs of the people of New York State with the highest degree of fairness, professionalism, and integrity.
In 1913, a construction foreman was murdered in a robbery in Westchester County. With no local police department at the time, the man’s murderers escaped, even though he identified them before he died.
The man’s employer, Miss Moyca Newell, and her friend, author Katherine Mayo, started a movement to form a State Police department to provide police protection to all of the state's rural areas.
As the result of their efforts, the State Legislature passed legislation on April 11, 1917, that established the New York State Police as a full-service agency.
Photos
View historical photos of the New York State Police, dating back to XXX.
Gray Riders Documentary
Documenting the remarkable 100-year history of the New York State Police.
The PBS Historical Documentary “The Gray Riders” began airing November 16th, 2017 and tells the story of the New York State Police.
The one-hour documentary looks at the remarkable 100-year history of the New York State Police, featuring photographs and rare footage from the vast New York State Police archives along with dozens of interviews and comments from the men and women whose extraordinary service and dedication have made the State Police what it is today – one of the finest and most respected law enforcement agencies in the world.
For more information, visit: www.wskg.org/history/the-gray-riders