About
the Ithaca Police Department
Ithaca
became the 21st city in the State of New York in 1888. Prior to that it was an incorporated village which was established
in 1821. Little is known about the village police force other than it consisted of a couple of village constables. The City
of Ithaca Police Department was established on June 1, 1888. The first City Police Chief was Albert Neideck, who had served
previously as a village constable for the Village of Ithaca.
Today,
the Ithaca Police Department is organized into two large divisions – Patrol and Investigations. The Patrol Unit is the
largest and most visible division of the Department. It is broken down into three
platoons. Each platoon consist of a Lieutenant, two sergeants, and 12 officers. The patrol officers are currently assigned
to permanent shifts. Officers cover the sectors and posts using cars, bicycles
and walking.
The
Investigative Division of the Ithaca Police Department is comprised of three Units supervised by a lieutenant. Although each Unit is specialized, the Investigators are cross-trained, and often assist other Units in
serious investigations. The Investigative Division is responsible for all evidence. Including the chain of custody, and the
destruction or return of the evidence once a case has been resolved. The Investigative Division are also responsible for completing,
submitting, and retaining all paperwork relating to federal seizures of monies and vehicles. The Division also maintains the
department’s photo files, arrest files and sealed records files. The Division works very closely with the Tompkins County
District Attorney’s Office and with surrounding law enforcement agencies. The three Units of this Division are:
The
Criminal Investigations Unit investigates numerous crimes, including sexual assaults, burglaries, larcenies, forgeries, and
embezzlements. They are also responsible for the processing of crime scenes, transporting evidence to the state police crime
lab and chain of custody of evidence. They also process and testify to all fingerprint evidence. There is one vacant position
in the Criminal Investigations Unit, which the department expects to fill in the coming months.
The
Juvenile Investigation Unit is responsible for investigating all crimes involving juvenile suspects. They also monitor gang
activity in the City of Ithaca and maintain our state mandated Sexual Offender Registry. This Unit is responsible for investigating
criminal activity involving juveniles; they also mediate problems involving juveniles, and make referrals to agencies dealing
with children.
The
Special Investigations Unit is primarily responsible for the investigation and suppression of drug activity in the City of
Ithaca. They establish the probable cause needed for search warrants and actually write the needed search warrant applications;
this Unit also aides in the planning and execution of the warrants and providing computer forensics and information technology
support.
Source:
cityofithaca.org
