New York City Police Department Highway Patrol
Encyclopedia
The New York City Police Department Highway Patrol, also known as the NYPD Highway Patrol or by the shorthand NYPD HWY, is a specialized unit under the auspices of the NYPD's Transportation Bureau primarily responsible for patrolling and maintaining traffic safety on limited-access highways within New York City
. The NYPD Highway Patrol's other duties and roles include accident investigations, advanced driver and radar training for NYPD officers, field sobriety testing, dignitary and parade escorts, hazardous material and truck traffic enforcement, anti-drag racing programs, and anti-terrorist checkpoints at key bridges and intersections in the city.
squad, which was formed to meet the challenges of handling increasing traffic danger concomitant with the rise of automobile use. The unit—then simply known as the Motorcycle Squad—was enlarged as automobile traffic and speeding arose as major problems for the city, and in 1929, the unit was expanded to include armored motorcycles for use in anti-gang activities by the NYPD.
In 1933, the unit expanded to include a formally designated "Grand Central Parkway Motorcycle Squad" for patrol on a limited-access highway.
Until 1972, the unit remained primarily focused on the Motorcycle Squad, when in that year the motorcycle division was merged with the NYPD's Accident Investigation Squad to officially form the NYPD Highway Patrol. The Highway Patrol patch was created, however, five years later in 1977.
There are also specialized training units for Accident Investigation, Driver Training, and the Motor Carrier Safety Unit.
with a uniform-width blue stripe, as well as a "crushed"-style version of the NYPD's eight-point cap or a two-toned motorcycle helmet.
Motorcycle or riding boots are worn whether an officer is assigned to motorcycle duty or not, excepting those assigned to NYPD Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Safety Unit details; NYPD Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Safety Unit officers wear regular black work boots or low quarters, cargo pants, jumpsuit, and nylon jacket. The Highway unit is also one of only two units within the NYPD allowed to wear leather jackets, as these jackets are better able to prevent injuries from motorcycle crashes. Additional unique uniform features are the unit's use of a Sam Browne belt
, sidearm lanyards, and a specialized summons book pouch on their belt. The uniform and vehicle distinctions help give the Highway Patrol unit an elite look and prominent presence within the department.
The combination of the crushed cap, riding boots and the blue "distinction lace" on the Highway Patrol Uniform is in direct opposition to United States Army traditions; i.e., the uniforms worn by NYPD Highway Patrol are reminiscent of Cavalry, yet the blue is symbolic of Infantry. The color of the "distinction lace" -- also known as "piping" -- was switched from a black one inch band to the current blue piping under former New York City Police Commissioner
William Bratton, who initiated the change in order to emulate the Boston Police Department's motor unit.
The Highway Patrol vehicle fleet is primarily made up of Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
s. There are also Dodge Chargers equipped with Hemi engines, Ford Explorers, and Chevrolet Tahoe
s in the vehicle fleet. They are not termed as "cruisers
" but rather as Radio Motor Patrol units (RMPs). Highway Patrol vehicles differ from more typical NYPD vehicles in that they feature a larger and more complex moveable light bar on the roof called "risers", which rise up into the air to promote greater visibility on highways and also to warn oncoming vehicles of the presence of danger or an obstruction. Highway Patrol RMPs are additionally enforced with push bumpers to enable officers to push disabled vehicles off or out of a highway lane in order to smooth traffic flow. These vehicles also offer a much stronger engine compared to regular NYPD RMP's. A Highway Patrol RMP is also distinguished from other NYPD automobiles by its "HWY" designation on the rear of the car followed by its command unit number; additional Highway Patrol stenciling may also be present across the front and/or the rear windshield.
In addition to automobiles, the Highway Patrol continues to use motorcycles
in its daily traffic duties; currently the Highway Patrol uses Harley-Davidson
s, and these are most prominently used when escorting visiting national or foreign dignitaries to New York, or when opening many of the city's parades.
The NYPD has a volunteer unit of the NYPD Highway Patrol Unit. This unit is called the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police Highway Patrol Unit. The unit is made up of trained volunteer officers who volunteer their time to assist full time Highway Patrol officers by patrolling the highways, parkways and main thoroughfares throughout the City of New York. The officers in this unit are unarmed with handcuffs
, a straight baton, whistle
, flashlight
, reflective traffic vest
, and a police radio that is directly linked to the Central Dispatcher, other Auxiliary Police officers, and full time officers. These officers are unpaid, and receive no benefits for their work. The main jobs for these officers are to assist disabled vehicles and to aid in traffic control responsibilities at accident and fire scenes. Since these officers don't carry a firearm
, they are not permitted to make traffic stops unless authorized to make them by a full time officer.
Auxiliary Highway Patrol officers wear the same uniforms as full time Highway Patrol officers and patrol in marked Highway Patrol vehicles
with AUXILIARY decals affixed to them. All applicants to this Auxiliary unit are required to have a minimum of five years experience as a patrol officer with the NYPD Auxiliary Police
before they will be considered for the job. In addition they must be qualified to operate Highway Patrol vehicles.
Auxiliary Police recruits must pass a 16-week "Auxiliary Police Basic Training Course" which is classified as "Part Time Peace Officer Training". Auxiliary recruits are required by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council to undergo and pass this training course before they become Auxiliary Police officers. The training given in this course includes training in penal law, radio use, unarmed self defense including the use of pressure points, self defense with a nightstick, first aid, firearm safety, domestic violence, and arrest procedures. A written and physical exam is given at the end of training.
All Auxiliary Police officers are required by New York State to pass an annual refresher course in the use of force with the nightstick, arrest procedures, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).
According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice, Auxiliary Police officers are certified as "Part-Time Peace Officer
s without Firearms Training" by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services-Municipal Police Training Council and are registered as peace officers in the NYS DCJS registry of peace officers.
At present, there are between 250-450 full time officers and 30-60 Auxiliary officers within the NYPD Highway Patrol. As with the NYPD as a whole, the number of officers within the unit fluctuates according to budgetary and political changes. Full time officers must volunteer, be selected to join the Highway Patrol Unit, and usually must have between five to ten years of commendable experience as a patrol officer in order to qualify for a position. Auxiliary officers must volunteer, be selected to join the Highway Patrol Unit, and must have five years of commendable experience as a patrol officer in the NYPD Auxiliary Police
in order to qualify for a position. In many ways, the elite status of this unit and its traditions are similar to that of the NYPD Mounted Unit.
. Only a few other cities feature a similarly elite unit, most notably Philadelphia and its Philadelphia Highway Patrol
.
The nearby county of Nassau
on Long Island
also has a highway patrol
unit within its County Police Department
for patrol work on expressways in Nassau County. Suffolk County
disbanded its highway patrol unit on Sept. 15, 2008. The highway patrol duties were transferred to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The NYPD Highway Patrol's other duties and roles include accident investigations, advanced driver and radar training for NYPD officers, field sobriety testing, dignitary and parade escorts, hazardous material and truck traffic enforcement, anti-drag racing programs, and anti-terrorist checkpoints at key bridges and intersections in the city.
History of the NYPD Highway Patrol
The NYPD Highway Patrol's origins begin in 1911 with the formation of the NYPD's first motorcyclePolice motorcycle
A police motorcycle is a motorcycle used by various police forces and departments. They may be custom designed to meet the requirements unique of a particular use. A police motorcycle is often called a "motor" by police officers in the United States...
squad, which was formed to meet the challenges of handling increasing traffic danger concomitant with the rise of automobile use. The unit—then simply known as the Motorcycle Squad—was enlarged as automobile traffic and speeding arose as major problems for the city, and in 1929, the unit was expanded to include armored motorcycles for use in anti-gang activities by the NYPD.
In 1933, the unit expanded to include a formally designated "Grand Central Parkway Motorcycle Squad" for patrol on a limited-access highway.
Until 1972, the unit remained primarily focused on the Motorcycle Squad, when in that year the motorcycle division was merged with the NYPD's Accident Investigation Squad to officially form the NYPD Highway Patrol. The Highway Patrol patch was created, however, five years later in 1977.
Organization
The NYPD Highway Patrol is currently divided into five command units which correspond with the five boroughs of the city :- Highway Unit #1 in the BronxThe BronxThe Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, - Highway Unit #2 in BrooklynBrooklynBrooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, - Highway Unit #3 in QueensQueensQueens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, - Highway Unit #4 in ManhattanManhattanManhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
- Highway Unit #5 in Staten IslandStaten IslandStaten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
(formerly HESSI - Highway Emergency Service Staten Island).
There are also specialized training units for Accident Investigation, Driver Training, and the Motor Carrier Safety Unit.
Uniforms
In addition to the vehicular distinctions between the Highway Patrol and the general NYPD, there are differences in the uniforms as well. Aside from the Highway Patrol patch, Highway Patrol officers wear a uniform designed for both practical use and with traditional connections with motorcycle patrol duty in mind. In comparison with most NYPD officers' plain slacks or cargo pants, Highway Patrol members wear tapered motorcycle breechesBreeches
Breeches are an item of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles...
with a uniform-width blue stripe, as well as a "crushed"-style version of the NYPD's eight-point cap or a two-toned motorcycle helmet.
Sam Browne belt
The Sam Browne belt is a wide belt, usually leather, which is supported by a strap going diagonally over the right shoulder. It is most often seen as part of a military or police uniform.-Origins:...
, sidearm lanyards, and a specialized summons book pouch on their belt. The uniform and vehicle distinctions help give the Highway Patrol unit an elite look and prominent presence within the department.
The combination of the crushed cap, riding boots and the blue "distinction lace" on the Highway Patrol Uniform is in direct opposition to United States Army traditions; i.e., the uniforms worn by NYPD Highway Patrol are reminiscent of Cavalry, yet the blue is symbolic of Infantry. The color of the "distinction lace" -- also known as "piping" -- was switched from a black one inch band to the current blue piping under former New York City Police Commissioner
New York City Police Commissioner
The New York City Police Commissioner is the head of the New York City Police Department, appointed by the Mayor of New York City. Governor Theodore Roosevelt, in one of his final acts before becoming Vice President of the United States in March 1901, signed legislation replacing the Police Board...
William Bratton, who initiated the change in order to emulate the Boston Police Department's motor unit.
Vehicles
Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
Though the name has been officially in use since 1992, the 1978–1991 full-size LTDs and LTD Crown Victorias and 1992 updated body style used the "P72" production code designation for both fleet/taxi and police models, with the model itself being internally classified as S...
s. There are also Dodge Chargers equipped with Hemi engines, Ford Explorers, and Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe are full-size SUVs from General Motors. Chevrolet and GMC sold two different-sized SUVs under their Blazer/Jimmy model names through the early 1990s. This situation changed when GMC rebadged the full-size Jimmy as the Yukon in 1992...
s in the vehicle fleet. They are not termed as "cruisers
Police car
A police car is a ground vehicle used by police, to assist with their duties in patrolling and responding to incidents. Typical uses of a police car include transportation for officers to reach the scene of an incident quickly, to transport criminal suspects, or to patrol an area, while providing a...
" but rather as Radio Motor Patrol units (RMPs). Highway Patrol vehicles differ from more typical NYPD vehicles in that they feature a larger and more complex moveable light bar on the roof called "risers", which rise up into the air to promote greater visibility on highways and also to warn oncoming vehicles of the presence of danger or an obstruction. Highway Patrol RMPs are additionally enforced with push bumpers to enable officers to push disabled vehicles off or out of a highway lane in order to smooth traffic flow. These vehicles also offer a much stronger engine compared to regular NYPD RMP's. A Highway Patrol RMP is also distinguished from other NYPD automobiles by its "HWY" designation on the rear of the car followed by its command unit number; additional Highway Patrol stenciling may also be present across the front and/or the rear windshield.
In addition to automobiles, the Highway Patrol continues to use motorcycles
Police motorcycle
A police motorcycle is a motorcycle used by various police forces and departments. They may be custom designed to meet the requirements unique of a particular use. A police motorcycle is often called a "motor" by police officers in the United States...
in its daily traffic duties; currently the Highway Patrol uses Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson , often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression...
s, and these are most prominently used when escorting visiting national or foreign dignitaries to New York, or when opening many of the city's parades.
Auxiliary Police Highway Patrol Unit
Handcuffs
Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...
, a straight baton, whistle
Whistle
A whistle or call is a simple aerophone, an instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. It may be mouth-operated, or powered by air pressure, steam, or other means...
, flashlight
Flashlight
A flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...
, reflective traffic vest
High-visibility clothing
High-visibility clothing, a type of personal protective equipment , is any clothing worn that has highly reflective properties or a colour that is easily discernible from any background. Yellow waistcoats worn by emergency services are a common example....
, and a police radio that is directly linked to the Central Dispatcher, other Auxiliary Police officers, and full time officers. These officers are unpaid, and receive no benefits for their work. The main jobs for these officers are to assist disabled vehicles and to aid in traffic control responsibilities at accident and fire scenes. Since these officers don't carry a firearm
Firearm
A firearm is a weapon that launches one, or many, projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant. This subsonic burning process is technically known as deflagration, as opposed to supersonic combustion known as a detonation. In older firearms, the propellant was typically...
, they are not permitted to make traffic stops unless authorized to make them by a full time officer.
Auxiliary Highway Patrol officers wear the same uniforms as full time Highway Patrol officers and patrol in marked Highway Patrol vehicles
Police car
A police car is a ground vehicle used by police, to assist with their duties in patrolling and responding to incidents. Typical uses of a police car include transportation for officers to reach the scene of an incident quickly, to transport criminal suspects, or to patrol an area, while providing a...
with AUXILIARY decals affixed to them. All applicants to this Auxiliary unit are required to have a minimum of five years experience as a patrol officer with the NYPD Auxiliary Police
NYPD Auxiliary Police
The New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police is an unpaid, unarmed reserve police force which is a subdivision of the Patrol Services Bureau of the New York City Police Department. Auxiliary Police officers assist the NYPD with uniformed patrols and provide traffic and crowd control at...
before they will be considered for the job. In addition they must be qualified to operate Highway Patrol vehicles.
Auxiliary Police recruits must pass a 16-week "Auxiliary Police Basic Training Course" which is classified as "Part Time Peace Officer Training". Auxiliary recruits are required by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council to undergo and pass this training course before they become Auxiliary Police officers. The training given in this course includes training in penal law, radio use, unarmed self defense including the use of pressure points, self defense with a nightstick, first aid, firearm safety, domestic violence, and arrest procedures. A written and physical exam is given at the end of training.
All Auxiliary Police officers are required by New York State to pass an annual refresher course in the use of force with the nightstick, arrest procedures, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).
According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice, Auxiliary Police officers are certified as "Part-Time Peace Officer
Peace officer
A law enforcement officer , in North America, is any public-sector employee or agent whose duties involve the enforcement of laws. The phrase can include police officers, prison officers, customs officers, immigration officers, bailiffs, probation officers, parole officers, auxiliary officers, and...
s without Firearms Training" by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services-Municipal Police Training Council and are registered as peace officers in the NYS DCJS registry of peace officers.
Strength
NYPD Auxiliary Police
The New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police is an unpaid, unarmed reserve police force which is a subdivision of the Patrol Services Bureau of the New York City Police Department. Auxiliary Police officers assist the NYPD with uniformed patrols and provide traffic and crowd control at...
in order to qualify for a position. In many ways, the elite status of this unit and its traditions are similar to that of the NYPD Mounted Unit.
Similar units
The NYPD Highway Patrol occupies an unusual position as a municipality-based limited-access Highway Patrol and specialized task unit in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Only a few other cities feature a similarly elite unit, most notably Philadelphia and its Philadelphia Highway Patrol
Philadelphia Highway Patrol
The Philadelphia Highway Patrol is a specialized unit within the Philadelphia Police Department that shares a dual role as both the primary enforcers of traffic laws within the city and as a unique anti-crime task force.-Equipment and duties:...
.
The nearby county of Nassau
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
also has a highway patrol
Highway patrol
A highway patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is primarily concerned with such duties.Duties of highway patrols or traffic...
unit within its County Police Department
Nassau County Police Department
The Nassau County Police Department is the law enforcement agency of Nassau County, New York.-History:In 1925, concerned about rising crime rates, the County Board of Supervisors voted to create the Nassau County Police Department, replacing a scattered system of constables and town and village...
for patrol work on expressways in Nassau County. Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
disbanded its highway patrol unit on Sept. 15, 2008. The highway patrol duties were transferred to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office
Suffolk County, New York Sheriff's Office
The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is the oldest law enforcement agency in Suffolk County, New York. The sheriff's office currently employs approximately 1200 people, including 841 correction officers, 247 deputy sheriffs, and 130 civilian personnel...
.
See also
- New York City Police DepartmentNew York City Police DepartmentThe New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
- New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police
- List of law enforcement agencies in New York
- Boston Police Special Operations UnitBoston Police Special Operations UnitThe Boston Police Special Operations Unit is a specialized unit within the Boston Police Department responsible for combined duties involving Highway Patrol and traffic enforcement, crowd control, and special weapons and tactics services within the city.One unique feature of the unit is that the...