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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
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From 1962 to
1970, Richard H. Ward was a member of the New York Police Department, rising to the rank of detective. After the leaving the NYPD, Richard Ward began an academic career as the Coordintor of Student Activities
with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Currently, Richard Ward is the
Associate Bice President for Reseach and Special Programs with the Sam Houston State University (Texas).
Richard Ward
is the author of Countering Terrorism: A Manual
for Law Enforcement and Introduction
to Criminal Investigation. Richard Ward is the co-author of Homeland Security, Criminal Investigation: A Method of Reconstruction of the
Past; Quest for Quality; An Anti-Corruption Manual for Administrators in Law Enforcement; and, Police Robbery Control Manual. Richard Ward is the editor of Extremist Groups: An Inernational Compilation of Terrorist Organizations, Violent Political Groups, and Issue-Oriented
Militant Movements; Terrorism and the New World Disorder; International Terrorism: Operational Issues; Managing Police Corruption:
International Perspectives; International Terrorism: The Domestic Response; Police and Law Enforcement; and, Foundations of
Criminal Justice.
According to
the book description of Criminal Investigation:
A Method of Reconstruction of the Past, “This text presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation and provides
a sound method for reconstructing a past event (i.e., a crime) based on three major sources of information—people, physical
evidence and records. More than a simplistic introductory text, yet written in an easy-to-read, user-friendly format, it offers
a broad approach to criminal investigation. Updates to this edition include reorganization of the material into three sections,
the merging of some chapters, and a new chapter on “Increasing Threats and Emerging Crime.”
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