The New York State Police (NYSP) is the official state police agency of the United States state of New York, with approximately 5,000 sworn officers and 711 civilian members. The Superintendent of the State Police, who is appointed by the Governor of New York and confirmed by the New York State Senate, is in charge of the New York State Police.
On behalf of the New York State Police, the Superintendent of State Police commands over 5,000 troopers, investigators, and civilian support staff who help offer a full range of policing and public safety services to New Yorkers.
The agency has been accepting DNA evidence for forensic examination and analysis since February 1994. The Forensic Investigation Center (FIC) of the New York State Police was established in November 1996. DNA analysis is performed at the Crime Laboratory for state investigations and local law enforcement. It features a new DNA Data Bank Section that accumulates DNA records from violent criminals sentenced to jail in the state of New York. These records can be searched and matched to other evidence gathered in unsolved crimes using a computer.
The New York State Police splits the state into eleven “Troops,” each of which covers a specific geographic area, usually several counties. Each one is overseen by a “Troop Commander,” generally a Major. Except for the Gore-Tex jacket, trooper uniforms are constructed of grey wool. Before 1958, uniforms (shirts, coats, and britches) were woven with an equal mix of white and black fibers to represent justice’s impartiality. Only five state police forces do not wear badges on their uniform blouses, including the NYSP.
Trooper uniforms, like the American flag, are destroyed when they are no longer useful. The black line running down the leg of the trouser honors departed friends. The purple tie and hatband are symbols of an elite regiment. Troopers wear a tan Stetson hat with a purple band around it and a leather security strap. Chevrons are worn on the upper sleeves of both the shirt and the jacket and are black on a gray backdrop. Technical Lieutenant through Superintendent rank badges is worn on the collars of the shirt and the Gore-Tex jacket’s shoulder loops.
Before being hired as a state trooper, recruits must pass a 26-week training academy. The residential school is located in Albany, New York, at the New York State Police Academy. Before being assigned to a permanent troop, recruits must complete 10 weeks of post-academy field training with a trained field training officer (FTO) with the rank of trooper.
Three Bell 407 single-engine utility helicopters, six Bell 430 twin-engine utility helicopters, three Bell UH-1 “HUEY 2” single-engine utility helicopters, and one UH-1H “HUEY 1” single-engine utility helicopter are used by the New York State Police. Two Cessna 206 Stationair single-engine planes, one Cessna 172 single-engine plane, one Partenavia 68 twin-engine observation plane, one Sikorsky 76 (for governor transport), and two Beech King Air twin-engine turboprop planes round out their fleet. The call sign “GrayRider” is used by all of these planes.
Also learn about the Judiciary of New York (state)
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