|
Paul B. Weston had a progressively successful career in the New York Police
Department on a "fast track" promotion examination system pioneered by New York
feisty Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia and his Municipal Civil Service Commission. When
a new list of
successful applicants for police officer was published, the Mayor hired the
top two hundred, then the commission set the date for the next sergeant's examination to allow this group just enough seniority
to qualify for the test. In turn, the top group of sergeants became eligible
for the lieutenant's test, and likewise the captain's examination. It was a tough
program as seniority could earn up to twenty points on the possible score of 200 and the "fast track" candidates had less
than one full point of seniority!
Paul B. Weston placed on the top of each list and became a captain in twelve
years and two months; far ahead of the more common 18 to 20 years. From the jump
start, he moved through the appointed ranks to Deputy Inspector, Inspector, and Deputy Chief Inspector. The last two promotions were made by Police Commissioner Stephen P. Kennedy for good work in the traffic
division
After retirement from the NYPD, Paul Weston joined the Police Science faculty
at California State College, Sacramento. Paul B. Weston played a large role in
developing the university’s program to a full-fledged Division of Criminal Justice. During
his career as a practitioner and academic, Paul Weston wrote at least twelve books on law enforcement and criminal justice. His titles include, The Police Traffic Control Function; Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives; Case Studies of Drug Abuse and Criminal
Behavior; The Handbook of Handgunning; Combat Shooting for Police; The Administration of Justice; The Detection of Murder;
Supervision in the Administration of Justice; and, Criminal Evidence for Police.
About the New York Police Department
(NYPD):
The first law-enforcement officer began
to patrol the trails and paths of New York City when it was known as New Amsterdam, and was a Dutch settlement and fort in
the year 1625. This lawman was known as a "Schout – fiscal" (sheriff – attorney) and was charged with keeping
the peace, settling minor disputes, and warning colonists if fires broke out at night. The first Schout was a man named Johann
Lampo.
The Rattle Watch was a group of colonists
during the Dutch era (1609 - 1664) who patrolled from sunset until dawn. They carried weapons, lanterns and wooden rattles
(that are similar to the ratchet noisemakers used during New Year celebrations). The rattles made a very loud, distinctive
sound and were used to warn farmers and colonists of threatening situations. Upon hearing this sound, the colonists would
rally to defend themselves or form bucket-brigades to put out fires. The rattles were used because whistles had not yet been
invented. The Rattle Watchmen also are believed to have carried lanterns that had green glass inserts. This was to help identify
them while they were on patrol at night (as there were no streetlights at that time). When they returned to their Watch House
from patrol, they hung their lantern on a hook by the front door to show that the Watchman was present in the Watch House.
Today, green lights are still hung outside the entrances of Police Precincts as a symbol that the "Watch" is present and vigilant.
When the High Constable of New York City,
Jacob Hays retired from service in 1844, permission was granted by the Governor of the state to the Mayor of the City to create
a Police Department. A force of approximately 800 men under the first Chief of Police, George W. Matsell, began to patrol
the City in July of 1845. They wore badges that had an eight-pointed star (representing the first 8 paid members of the old
Watch during Dutch times). The badges had the seal of the City in their center and were made of stamped copper.
Source:
nycpolicemuseum.org
/html/faq.html#begin
|
