Friday, December 29, 2000

SOME NYPD-DETECTIVE HISTORY

The person recognized as the "Father of Detectives: is Thomas Byrnes. In 1878 he was a Captain of a local precinct when the Manhattan Savings Bank at Bleeker/Broadway was robbed. As a result of this crime, and several other notorious incidents, Thomas Byrnes was promoted to Inspector and placed in charge of a newly formed Detective Bureau. Up to that point there was merely a small group of "detectives" working out of HQ. The job of Detective was essentially the same as a patrolman, and there was no prestige in it; it was considered a secondary police function.
Byrnes shaped the Detective Bureau and detective work in general. His template for detective work is the basis for every modern police department's detectives. Byrnes believed that the way detectives should catch criminals is through intelligence - from criminals and informants - and under Byrnes intelligence gathering became an organized enterprise. He started using photographs in this process, and established the "Rogues Gallery", ensuring that suspects and those arrested were photographed.
Read more about Thomas Byrnes in future postings!

Some Historical Timelines

1845: 1st Full Time Police Force established in NYC (Brooklyn is a separate city)
1873: Detectives formed under a small Central Bureau to curb corruption
1880: Thomas Byrnes promoted to Inspector and placed in charge of the new Detective Bureau
1898: Police Forces in New York consolidated to form the current NYPD

The Criminal Vernacular

Yeggs : (1880) Originated from the name of a famous safecracker. Usually referred to burglars, but sometimes interchanged with robbers as well.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year !

Thursday, December 28, 2000

What's Up?
As I learn the ins and outs of this site, I'll be making some changes, so bear with me.
In the coming postings to this site, which has been re-named "The Squad Room", you can expect to find : History of the Detective; Investigative Tips; Links to Investigative Sites; Reviews on Books; some notes on cigars; and general entertainment for the gumshoe. (Watch for the future posting on the derivation of detective slang, including "gumshoe" and "shamus").
I'll be open to suggestions and criticism; and hope to find that you'll sign on to this site for as much entertainment and interest as I get out of writing for it.
Be Safe!! And have a Healthy and Happy New Year! Remember, Profile Sheets are due Tuesday!
And don't forget the Quarterly/Year End Activity Report for BNDO, as well as the Chief of Dept's Shooting Report for the 2nd Half of 2000.
BROOKLYN NORTH INVESTIGATORS

Welcome to my "Blog". I will post information of interest on a regular basis, of interest for and by the investigators in Brooklyn North and the 77 Squad. Of course many of these postings will include those of resident humor writer John Muller, including the latest quips from "Who Said That?"
Keep watch!