Monday, September 27, 2004

MAX F. SCHMITTBERGER, CHIEF INSPECTOR

Thanks to Sgt. Mike Fanning for his contribution on this department legend, Max F. Schmittberger, who served as the Chief Inspector of the department from 1909 to 1917, with 43 years of service before he died. He died in 1917 after contracting pneumonia, and was 67 years old at the time.

He was best known as the principle survivor of the Lexlow Commission�s fight against Tammany Hall to end graft in the city, conducted in the late 1890�s.

Max F. Schmittberger was born in Germany, and came to the United States when he was 4 years old He was educated in the public schools, and after trying his hand at two or three employments he joined the Police Department on January 28, 1874. He rose through the ranks and became a Roundsman (current Sergeant�s rank) on April 12, 1880; the Sergeant in 1883, Captain in 1890, and was made an Inspector by Commissioner Green in 1903.

During his Forty-three years connection with the New York Police, Schmittberger retained his quiet demeanor and dislike of publicity, which were the characteristics he portrayed as a Patrolman, walking the streets of New York. When he turned State's evidence during the Lexlow Investigations in 1894 he neither saved himself nor others in his testimony before the committee. In the Report of the Lexlow Committee, Captain Schmittberger, as he was then, tells of collecting from $180 to $300 a month from his Wardmen, as head of the Steamboat Squad, and in other places in the report there are confessions of the graft collected by him in the days before the Lexlow Committee started it's investigations. He was called a "squealer" by members of the police force for his evidence and incurred enmity of Tammany Hall for giving away the secrets of the graft collecting that had been going on in the City for years with out interruption.

Schmittberger excelled in handling large crowds and commanding large bodies of men. He was also known to be a very strict supervisor. One of his favorite stunts was to visit the stations quietly when the Patrolmen were going out on duty to see if they saluted the officers at the desk, and also to note whether he returned it in the proper manner. If they were slack in their methods, Schmittberger would say, "come back here men and salute the desk Now then Officer," and the ceremony would be preformed in a smart military fashion to his satisfaction.


HERALDRY

In the Sept. 10, 2004 posting of The Squad Room an answer was given to a previously asked question about The New York City Seal. The question had asked if anyone knew the names of the Dutch Boy and the Indian. The answer given was The Dutch Boy was Dexter and the Indian Sinister.

As pointed out by John Reilly, this may not be correct as the terms Dexter and Sinister are used in Heraldry to describe the left and right of a Coat of Arms. Also the seal does not show a Dutch Boy but rather an English sailor.

As an aside have you ever looked at a tie that has regimental stripes on it?

If the tie was made in England, the stripes will go from the left side to the right side. But, if the tie was made in the USA the stripes will run from the right side to the left side. In heraldry there is a term the Bar Sinister or the Baton Sinister, this is a bar that runs across the shield of the coat of arms from right to left and denotes that the person bearing the coat of arms was of illegitimate birth. So also the stripes on an American made tie show that they are illegitimate.


SOME INTERESTING INVESTIGATIVE TIPS

Area Code Decoder
This web site can be used to decode a telephone number. By indicating the full telephone number in the search box it will tell you not only the city and state for that number, but the phone company that handles that number. A handy reference for supplemental phone subpoenas, etc.

www.areadecoder.com

TiVo Alibi?

Checking out an alibi with a suspect who says he was home watching TiVo or ReplayTV?

Can these records, if subpoenaed from TiVo, provide the necessary information to verify this alibi? The answer is �No�.

That information, though, will be stored in the suspects home digital box. The info can be obtained from the home TiVo box directly. Of course, appropriate search warrants (similar to those required to obtain info from a home computer) would need to be obtained from the DAs Office.


FOLLOW UP STORY

Ret. Det Al Meller commented on the recent posting that noted Donald Shea�s exploits at capturing the bank robber, Willie Sutton.

He would like to note that the promotion of Donald Shea at that time was directly to Detective First Grade. It may be that either the then mayor or P.C. didn�t know that detective grades went from 3rd to 1st and not 1st to 3rd grade.

By the way, as has been noted here previously, Detective First Grade was the only Detective title that was written into the City Charter; I�m sure that Ret Det1 John Reilly could provide some interesting background to that!


SOME TIPS ON REPORT WRITING

No matter how you slice it, a major part of the detective�s duties involves writing reports. �If it�s not on a DD5 it didn�t happen� is a phrase we have all heard, and uttered, over and over again.

According to the text �Professional�s Guide to Investigative Report Writing�, some basic tips can be followed.

Remember, strong reports �are like athletes: trim, lean, and moving swiftly to the finish line�.

Padding reports with repetitive wording serves little value. Report the facts, trim the fat.

Will your report tell a story to someone who was not there (i.e. the Jury)? That�s the purpose of the report, isn�t it?

When referencing the investigator (writer of the report) some like to use indirect terms, such as �this writer� or �this investigator�, as they feel it implies greater neutrality, or just plain sounds better. But isn�t this awkward phrasing best eliminated by simply using the term �I� or �we�?


IN SEARCH OF A PIE

John Cantwell relates his search for a good slice of pizza was met with some obstacles recently.
Hoping to take his crew to DiFara�s Pizza, touted here as the best pizza in the city, he was met with some logistical issues. Encountering a line almost 5 deep at the counter, he was faced with the prospect of waiting an hour for a pie, and decided on a change of venue.

They found themselves at the second best pizza spot in Brooklyn, right under the Brooklyn Bridge � Grimaldi�s Pizza. Formerly known as Patsy�s, the pizza here is magnificent, and you�re sure to find a line down the street on a Friday afternoon � but the wait will be worth it.


WHO�S A LEATHERNECK?

I recently came across an item in a local paper about a book that an LIU history professor has put together, identifying some famous Marine�s.

For example, did you know that actress Bea Arthur, Lee Marvin, Gene Hackman, Harvey Keitel, Don Adams, Brian Keith and Robert Wagner all served in the Marine Corps? So did Don Imus, Bill Gallo of the Daily News, Montel Williams and Dan Rather. The singing duo the Everly Brothers are former leathernecks, as is Bob Murphy of NY Mets fame.

The books author, Dennis Carpenter, is the son of an NYPD officer. He has put this book together, with stories on these servicemen and women, and donates half his profits to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to children of Marines killed while on duty.

The book, �Anyone Here a Marine�, can be ordered from the web site:
www.brightlightspublications.com

or by calling (516) 466-4940.

By the way, Bea Arthur, of TV�s Maude and Golden Girls, served in the Marine Reserve during WWII as a recruiter.

Let�s not forget that PC Raymond Kelly is a Marine, as are our own Chief Joe Cunneen and the 79 Squad Commander Cliff Marshall. Semper Fi!


OFFICER MEMORIAL�S: PO HAMPERIAN AND PO VENABLE


Police Officer Joseph Hamperian, of the New York City Transit Police Department, died on September 22, 1983 from injuries sustained in a September 21, 1983 line of duty accident.

Officer Hamperian was struck and killed by an automobile. He was in plainclothes working a pick-pocket detail at a bus stop in Brooklyn when the incident happened. Officer Hamperian was assigned to the Transit Surface Crimes Unit and was survived by his parents.

Police Officer Robert Venable, of the New York City Transit Police Department, was killed in the line of duty on September 22, 1987. Officer Venable was 35 years old at the time.

Officer Venable was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest. He and two other officers were transporting several prisoners in the 75 Precinct area of Brooklyn when they were alerted of a call involving several men with guns. As they approached the scene Officer Venable was shot. He succumbed to his injuries three hours later. The suspects were apprehended. Officer Venable had been with the department for three years and was survived by his 8-year-old daughter and parents.


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

September 25, 1953 Ptl Harry Widder, GCP-Hwy3, Auto accident
September 25, 1971 PO Arthur Pelo, HA-BkSI, Shot-robbery arrest
September 25, 1995 PO David Willis, 10 Pct, Auto accident, radio run
September 26, 1977 PO Vito Chiaramonte, HA-CCU, Shot
September 27, 1945 Det Frank McGrath, 2 Sqd, Shot-investigation
September 27, 1992 PO William Gunn, 67 PDU, Shot-investigation
September 28, 1921 Ptl Joseph Reuschle, 42 Pct, Shot by prisoner
September 28, 1934 Ptl John Fraser, 4 Div, Shot-robbery in progress
September 29, 1854 Ptl James Cahill, 11 Ward, Shot-Burglary **
September 29, 1965 Ptl Donald Rainey, Auto Crime, Shot-Mistaken ID, off duty
September 29, 1983 PO Joseph McCormack, ESU, Shot-barricade situation

** This is the earliest recorded Line of Duty death by an NYPD MOS.

Monday, September 20, 2004

A TRIBUTE TO TWO FINE DETECTIVES

The author of this eulogy is unknown, but the message says it all.
It was a sad week, for sure, burying two fine detectives from the 67 Squad, Patrick Rafferty and Robert Parker. Please take a moment to say a prayer for their families.


Two Fine Detectives

I just want to take a couple of minutes to talk about two of my friends/colleagues who were killed in the line of duty yesterday. They responded to arrest a perpetrator of a domestic crime. This perpetrator should have been arrested, taken in, and let out the next day--just like all of the other times he has been arrested. Instead he decided that on this day he wasn't going to go. They caught him in the car he stole from his own mother, and he refused to be arrested. He struggled with the two detectives. Somehow and somewhere during this struggle this perpetrator got hold of one of their guns, and shot them both. In a blink of an eye a bullshit arrest turned into a deadly event.

First I want to say that please do not second guess their tactics--these were two of the most professional law enforcement personnel around, and they had been through everything. Their deaths were the result of a chaotic mix of the most unfortunate circumstances that played out in an unrealistic deadly fashion--where everything that could possibly go wrong, did. Their grasp of police know-how could run circles around most other Detectives, much less anyone else without their years of experience.

Next I want to say something about them so that you know and understand what we have all lost. Detective Pat Rafferty took a lot of kidding because he resembled comedian Jim Carrey, but things like that didn't bother him. He himself was a funny guy, armed with sharp wit, and an understated sense of humor. He played softball with the 67 softball team, and I don't remember him ever in a bad mood for any length of time at all. He was the epitome of the kind of Detective you needed in a Squad like the 67--someone who would work hard when the hard work needed to be done, and someone who could take time to joke around or shoot the breeze in between the shootings, stabbings, homicides, and other major cases that were inherent duties that came with the territory when you are a Detective in the 67 Squad.

Detective Second Grade Bobby Parker was one of the coolest Detectives in the City of New York. He was a muscular, three-hundred plus pounds man of grace and sophistication. He could lift a car over his head, but moved like a dancer, and spoke like a professional orator. He had a deep, Barry White-like voice, and would occasionally show it off with spontaneous singing. He was a consummate gentlemen, and always dressed immaculately. Bobby was the personification of the strong, street-wise, yet elegant, proficient, and knowledgeable--Detective. If James Bond was a NYPD Brooklyn Detective, he would be Bobby Parker.

The thing is this: people like Pat and Bobby are the soul of the 67 Squad, the Detective Bureau, the NY PD, and the City of New York. They loved their work, and took pride in their work. They never needed anyone that the work they did was important, because they knew it already. People like this set and keep the standard so that others can fall in line, and the younger guys and girls have something to look up to. Pat and Bobby didn't look at other people or places in the NY PD with envy, or worry about perks that others might have. And I can say that goes broadly for the whole 67 Squad. Sure like everywhere else, they all poke fun at each other, gripe about obvious inconsistencies, chew the fat about whatever is new--but the standard of the Squad is to do all of the necessary work when it needs to be done, no matter how much of it there is to do, and to get the job done right under any circumstance. You talk about Bobby Parker and Pat Rafferty, and that is exactly what you had.

If you have any career goals in your life at all, some of them should probably be to work someplace where you can be proud of the kind of work you do, even if no one ever told you so. You know deep down inside of yourself that the work you do makes a difference--in your own life, and the lives of others. You want to enjoy coming to work. You'd want somewhat to be like Detectives Bobby Parker and Pat Rafferty--two men that did just this.

To the credit of their colleagues, a ton of others, armed with the same work ethic--if not all of their credentials and nuances--did step up to the plate to catch the perpetrator that committed this heinous act, and are putting together a case against him now as I write this. But nothing will ever change the fact the the horrible has already happened.

Two great guys have been removed from our sides--we all took a big loss on this one.


INTERESTING INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS

Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for First Responders

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/187736.htm



MEMORIAL SERVICE PLANNED FOR PO IRMA LOZADA

September 21, 2004 will mark the 20th anniversary of the death of P.O. Irma Fran Lozada. Fran, of the NYC Transit Police Department, was assigned to District 33, working at that time in the anti-crime unit. Fran is the first female police officer to be killed in the line of duty in this city.

To commemorate this day, a floral wreath will be placed, and a short prayer will be said, at the plaque honoring PO Lozada inside District 33 at 3pm.


ALL WHO ARE ABLE TO ATTEND ARE INVITED.

In addition, I will also place, at the plaque, any e-mail messages which anyone would like to send. You can e-mail me at:

Ltjac77@yahoo.com

Let us never forget those who have gone before us. This time of the year has, in the passed three years, taken on new significance. Cherish those you love, remember those who have passed.


THE GUNMEN SQUAD

During 1929, there were 21 heavy armored motorcycles with bulletproof windshields. Fifteen had sidecars of which six were kept for the disposal of the "Gunmen's Squad."

According to the NYPD's annual report of 1929, the "Gunmen's Squad" was composed of a number of men from each borough for the purpose of driving loafers, criminals, gangsters and disorderly characters from the streets, speakeasies, pool parlors and dance halls.

It was reported that they kept 198 known gangsters on the run and "axed "every illegal "still" they found.


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

September 18, 1927 Ptl Jerome DeLorenzo, 4 Pct, Shot-accidental discharge
September 19, 1943 Sgt Mathew McCormick, 120 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
September 21, 1952 Det Philip Lamonica, 42 Sq, Shot during arrest
September 21, 1984 PO Irma Lozada, TPD D-33, Shot-robbery arrest (RIP, Fran!)
September 22, 1946 Ptl William Brophy, 109 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
September 22, 1983 PO Joseph Hamperian, TPD-SCU, Struck by auto
September 22, 1987 PO Robert Venable, TPD-D33, Shot during arrest
September 23, 1896 Ptl Thomas McIntyre, MTD, Horse accident
September 23, 1937 Det John Wilson, 1 Pct, Shot-robbery
September 23, 1941 Ptl James Schowers, 28 Pct, LOD heart attack
September 23, 1970 Ptl Michael Paolilo, IdentUnit, Stabbed-off duty investigation

Monday, September 13, 2004

WE MOURN THE LOSS OF OUR BROTHERS

We share in the loss of two of our brothers from the 67 Detective Squad who were shot and killed in the line of duty on Friday, September 10, 2004.

Please take a moment and say a prayer for the familes of:

DETECTIVE ROBERT PARKER, 67 Squad and
DETECTIVE PATRICK RAFFERTY, 67 Squad

May they rest in peace, and may comfort be found by their families.

Friday, September 10, 2004

WILLIE SUTTON AND THE ARNOLD SCHUSTER MURDER

Thanks to Mike Fanning, he found an interesting newspaper article from August 22, 1953, concerning the bank robber Willie Sutton and the murder of Arnold Schuster.

It was reported in the newspaper article that "Acting on a tip, detectives attached to the Brooklyn Homicide Squad and transit patrolmen searched an IND subway train yesterday morning for John Mazziotta, a key figure in the slaying of Arnold Schuster seventeen months ago. Mr. Schuster was responsible for the arrest of William Sutton, the bank thief."

The Willie Sutton story is one of the greatest crime tales in NYC lore. Sutton, wanted on a bank robbery, was hunted down by a sharp detective named Frank Phillips in 1930. In the book "NYPD: A City and Its Police" Sutton was described as "A small, frail looking man with high cheekbones,�

Sutton grew up on the Brooklyn waterfront. When he was just twenty years old, one of his neighborhood gang buddies was murdered, and stool pigeons named Willie as the killer. Sutton went into hiding, and it took the cops two years to find him. When they did, according to his account, they gave him a bad beating, though he was acquitted on the murder charge. Forever after, Willie eschewed violence and was polite with the cops.

Questioned by Phillips after being busted for a bank job in 1930, Sutton recalled his boyhood jaunts in Prospect Park and grew dewy-eyed when he spoke of the flowers and shrubs of the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and his early dream of becoming a gardener. Phillips eventually brought up a jewelry store job on Fulton Street. 'Look Frankie,' said Sutton, 'I never went for penny-ante jobs. I read about that stickup, and I remember thinking what jerks the men who pulled it.' Phillips thanked Sutton for what he took to be a truthful answer, since the police already had three suspects. 'So long, Frank, I'll be seeing you again,' Sutton said at the end of their talk. 'I doubt it, Bill.' Phillips replied. Sutton was sent to Sing Sing with a thirty-year sentence for the bank job."

But Sutton escaped 2 years later, and shortly robbed the Corn Exchange Bank at 110 St and Broadway, among others. He was caught again with several machine guns and a lot of the loot from the robberies. He was subsequently incarcerated again, but managed to escape once more in 1947, remaining at-large until 1952.

That is when a 22 year old clothing salesman, Arnold Schuster, recognized Sutton and dimed him out to two local patrolmen in a nearby radio car. Two weeks after attempting to claim the $200,000 reward, Schuster was assassinated in Brooklyn. Sutton had nothing to do with it... it turned out that Mafia crime lord, Albert Anastasia had ordered the hit because "I can't stand squealers!"


POST SCRIPT ON THE WILLIE SUTTON COLLAR

By the way, one of the patrolman in the radio car who made the pinch after Schuster notified them was Donald Shea, who, along with his radio car partner, was made a Detective for this pinch.

Donald Shea went on to an illustrious career as a gumshoe, first in the 73 Squad, and later in Major Case � as part of the Bank Robbery Task Force. Retiring as a First Grade Detective, he was recognized at his retirement after some 30 years of service as never having taken a sick day!

Donald Shea is truly one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met, a real class act.


UNIFORM ALLOWANCE

Did you know that there was no uniform allowance until 1954, with the first payment of $125.00 being made in Sept. 1954. By the way, Firemen only got an allowance of $100.00. (Al Meller will surely be happy to hear that!)


THE NEW YORK CITY SEAL

An earlier posting asked the question if anyone knew the names of the Dutch Boy and the Indican depicted on the Seal of the City of New York.

None other than Ret. Det Al Meller posed the question, as he � undoubtedly � knew the answer, and wondered if anyone else knew. Well, Al, Anthony Castiglia of NY HIDTA also knew the answer!

The Dutch Boy is named Dexter and the Indian is Sinister. Possibly, either by irony, superstition, etc., Sinister is to the left of the seal � and it is noted that sinister in Latin means left. Maybe it was something of the times.

Al Meller would like to add that on the lighter side the question is also a good bar bet. Just wondering which bars Al�s been frequenting with the likes of this trivia making a hit!


SERIAL KILLER INFORMATION

The Crime Library has just published a fascinating article by Pat Brown, criminal profiler and star of the television series "I, Detective.", concerning serial killers.

She explodes 10 common myths about serial killers, using as examples well-known cases and cases that will be new to you.

Well worth checking out. I�ll bet Joe Herbert already has this bookmarked!

http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/profiling/s_k_myths/index.html



NYPD COLLECTORS

A new yahoo group has been started by Sgt. Mike Fanning that will be of interest to anyone who either collects police memorabilia, or has an interest in police history.

The group, NYPD Collectors Corner, can be accessed through the yahoo groups at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYPDCollectorsCorner/

Mike has done a real good job with this site, and adds that he has been receiving some help from the noted NYPD historian, Ret Det1 John Reilly. With such a winning combination you know it has to be a hit!


FROM THE WEST COAST

Detective duties, no matter where they may be performed, can usually find many similarities.

In Los Angeles, the Police Protective League (their PBA) recently made a public appeal to Chief Bratton to help reduce the paperwork.

The overload of paperwork, and duplicated duties, are what hinders the investigation process � not the work hours, the claimed.Their concern was that detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department spend a great deal of time behind an office desk, rather than on the streets.�A lot has changed since Sgt. Joe Friday served as a detective for the LAPD on �Dragnet.� Los Angeles has grown to a city of more than three million people, gang violence has intensified and new variables, such as an increased interest in terrorist activities, have come into play � yet our department has remained frightfully behind the times. In the nearly 30 years since Joe Friday began solving crimes, the LAPD has only marginally grown � both in size and in modernization. We only have about 9,000 officers patrolling our streets, and roughly 1,500 detectives are available to investigate all of the crimes reported to the LAPD every day and night.�It goes without saying that our detectives work hard and do what they can with the restraints placed on them. They are overloaded with paperwork to the point that it stalls their investigative work, and their schedules must oftentimes mirror other branches of city and county government with whom they work. However, in light of this, we have detectives working both day and night � not the 9 to 5 shift that has been characterized � to keep the residents of our city safe and catch the criminals who inflict harm upon them.�With a very thin blue line, the LAPD is often faced with the daunting task of doing more with less. We urge the Department to examine the state of technology within the LAPD and efficiencies that will free up detectives to spend more time in the field. �We respectfully request that Chief Bratton and his command staff examine a variety of reform options to free the detectives from their burden of unending paperwork and provide them with the support and resources they need to accomplish their jobs. The answer is not to remove these duties to patrol officers, but rather to pinpoint areas in the investigation process that can be streamlined and updated to fit the needs of a police department and city functioning in the 21st century.�The LAPPL is deeply concerned about rising crime and overall public safety issues in Los Angeles, and we are determined that LA residents, LAPD management, the Police Commission and the City Council will work together so that the necessary changes and improvements can be made urgently and effectively.�

I wonder if the LAPD detective�s still type case reports on typewriters, on carbon paper copied multiple-page reports?

By the way, I found it interesting that 42% of all homicides in Los Angeles County are gang related. That seems like a pretty large number.


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

September 11, 1976 PO Brian Murray, Bomb Sq, Explosion investigation

WTC Victims of Attack:
Sgt John Coughlin #3751, ESS4
Sgt Michael Curtin #3256, Ess2
Sgt Rodney Gillis, #1889, ESS8
Sgt Timothy Roy #2926, STED
Det Claude Richards #244, Bomb Squad
Det Joseph Vigiano #4511, ESS3
PO John Dallara #4011, ESS2
PO Vincent Danz #2166, ESS3
PO Jerome Dominguez #10003, ESS3
PO Stephen Driscoll #17482, ESS4
PO Mark Ellis #11441, TD4
PO Robert Fazio #6667, 13 Pct
PO Ronald Kloepfer #22403, ESS7
PO Thomas Langone #14356, ESS10
PO james Leahy #8943, 6 Pct
PO Brian McDonnell #6889, ESS1
PO John Perry #3266, 40 Pct
PO Glen Pettit #3815, PA
PO Moira Smith #10467, 13 Pct
PO Ramon Suarez #12671, TD4
PO Paul Talty #28907, ESS10
PO Santos Valentin #21630, ESS7
PO Walter Weaver #2784, ESS3


September 12, 1968 Ptl John Madden, 104 Pct, LOD Heart attack
September 12, 1991 PO Hector Fontanez, 47 Pct, Shot during investigation
September 13, 1928 Ptl Jeremiah Brosnan, 24 Pct, Shot by perp
September 14, 1931 Sgt Timothy Murphy, 8 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
September 14, 1974 PO Bruce Anderson, 32 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
September 15, 1931 Ptl William Eberhardt, 15 Pct, auto accident on patrol
September 15, 1979 PO Melvin Hopkins, 77 Pct, Shot, robbery, off duty
September 16, 1927 Ptl Henry E.A. Meyer, 54 Pct, shot-robbery arrest
September 16, 1975 PO Andrew Glover, 9 Pct, shot-assasination
September 16, 1975 Sgt Frederick Reddy, 9 Pct, shot-assasination
September 16, 1977 PO Daniel Nowomlynski, 23 Pct, shot-off duty


NYPD ANGELS

For an excellent web site that pays tribute to our fallen brothers and sisters, check out:

www.nypdangels.com

This is a site that I have mentioned before that is well worth visiting. It�s put together by the wife of a (Retired) NYPD MOS, and is one of the finest of its kind.

Friday, September 03, 2004

TRANSIT LIEUTENANTS: 1952

The New York Times noted on May 1, 1952 that 7 Sergeants of the New York City Transit Police were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant by the Board of Transportation. Previously, captains and lieutenants assigned to the transit lines had been lent by the New York City Police Department.

These were the first such promotions to a rank above Sergeant of the police officers (patrolman at the time) who were part of the transit police, governed at the time by the Board of Transportation. This Board preceded the NYC Transit Authority.

These 7 sergeants were chosen for promotion on the basis of their marks in the first such civil service competitive examination for that title, and would receive $5,400 annually as lieutenants.

One such promotee was Robert H. Rapp, who would later rise to become Chief of the Transit Police � before coming under fire as such for questionable crime statistic reporting.


WHEN WERE THE "TRANSIT" AND "HOUSING" POLICE DEPARTMENTS CREATED?

The N.Y.C. Housing Authority was created in 1934. At that time, the Housing Authority hired security guards to patrol the developments. These guards were later specially trained and became the first officers when the Housing Authority Police was officially created in 1952.

In 1936, Mayor LaGuardia created the post of "Special Patrolman" on the subway system. The Transit Authority Police Department was officially created in 1953. As noted above, they were governed at the time by the Board of Transportation.

Both the Transit and Housing Police Departments were subsequently merged with the N.Y.P.D. in 1995, and are now known as the Transit Division and Housing Bureau.


CHIEF GEORGE MATSELL, FIRST CHIEF OF POLICE

In July 1845 George Matsell was appointed the first Chief of Police for the New York Metropolitan Police.

He was noted for a text he wrote along with Justice Taylor, the "Rules and Regulations for Day and Night Police of the City of New York with Instructions as to the Legal Powers and Duties of Policemen."

This original book was issued in 1846. The appearance of some words appear strange to today�s readers since the language use and spelling have changed somewhat during the past 150 years. For example, the symbol "&c." appears, which was the representation for "et cetera".This was the first �rule book' used by the New York City Police Department. It shows the beginning step in the development of Police Training and Administration as it developed during the last one and a half centuries.

�All members of the department shall devote their whole time and attention to the business of the department, and not follow any other calling; and although certain hours are allotted to each man's duty, on ordinary occasions, yet all the members mustbe prepared to act at a moment's notice whenever the public service may require their attendance. Punctual attendance shall be required of every officer and patrol man connected with the department, on all occasions; sickness and disability only shall be anexcuse for absence from duty�.


ABOUT THOSE HATS

Ret Det1 John Reilly writes that by the time he came into the Bureau in the late 1960�s very few squad men were wearing fedora�s. By that time fedora hats had gone out of style.

Mike Fanning, doing some investigative searching on his own, has found that the hat store, Moe Penn Hatter�s, is still located at 395 Grand Street - New York, NY.

While many got their gold shield that time through exceptional police work and immediate assignment to a squad, others had to wait sometimes three or more years in other assignments. Narcotics assignment, while part of the Bureau, did not automatically mean a gold shield. Others have noted waiting several years, catching cases like everyone else in a precinct squad, before being designated �detective� and receiving the coveted gold shield.



FOR THE CULINARY DETECTIVE

Mike Fanning would like to correct a entry on my last posting, when I inco9rrectly noted DiRoberti�s on 1st Avenue as having good pizza.

DiRoberti�s is an excellent pastry and coffee shop � but they do NOT serve pizza.

I almost sent the Cantwell family on a dinner excursion for no reason! Sorry about that.

It is noted, by several good sources, that DiRoberti�s is an excellent stop for pastry, espresso, and some creamalotta. If you�ve never had creamalotta, you don�t know what you�re missing (and you probably never worked in Brooklyn South!). Check it out!



INTERESTING WEB SITES

Lots of phone books.http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci525742,00.html

Computer Crime Research CenterLots of links, info, & more.http://www.crime-research.org/eng/

Business People Search engineResearch various records including phone directories and death certificates.http://networking5.eliyon.com/PeopleFinder/

Investigative Resources, lots of them.
http://www.usatrace.com/secretsite2.html

World Telephone DirectoriesThis site has been posted before but, it has a new URL.
http://www.infobel.com/teldir/default.asp



LINE OF DUTY CORRECTION: PTL. ANTHONY BALGA

In the latest posting of the NYPD Memorial list I incorrectly listed Ptl. Anthony Balga�s line of duty death.

Ptl. Balga was killed in an on duty auto accident on December 6, 1956. The date I listed, September 1, 1954, is the date of his appointment.


SEAL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

On the seal of the City of New York are a Dutch Boy and an Indian. Does anyone know what their names are? Yes they really do have names. If you think you know, send me an e-mail. Ret.Det Al Meller certainly knows; he�ll share his answer with me for the next posting.


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

September 2, 1953 Sgt Saul Starett, 50 Pct, Electrocution
September 2, 1956 Ptl William Long, 103 Pct, Shot-arrest
September 2, 1982 PO Robert Seton-Harris, 122 Pct, Heart attack LOD
September 3, 1932 Ptl Peter DeCarlo, 32 Pct, Shot-Robbery in progress
September 3, 1967 Ptl John Darcy, 28 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
September 4, 1961 Ptl Francis Walsh, 32 Pct, Shot-robbery
September 4, 1962 Ptl Robert Byrnes, 94 Pct, Shot by EDP
September 7, 1970 Ptl Patrick Canavan, PA, Stabbed, off-duty incident
September 9, 1979 PO Edwin Fogel, Hwy1, Shot-car stop
September 10, 1951 Det James Daggett, Safe,Loft&Truck Sqd, Explosion
September 10, 1964 Ptl Anthony Esposito, 66 Pct, LOD Hear attack


REMEMBER� To Contact the Minister of Investigation:

Send me an e-mail at: Ltjac77@yahoo.com