349 STEWART AVENUE GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK 11530     PHONE: (516) 465-4100
 
DHistory
 
INVESTIGATION UNIT
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In January 1970, the first investigation unit was established to make in-dept follow-up investigation as reported by the patrol force. A change in the door decal and shoulder emblem using the village seal was also adopted that month. Later on that year, in order to keep pace with the ever-changing legal, social and technical changes, the police officer had to be equipped with new knowledge and technology. In response to the changing times, the police department adopted a policy of encouraging members to enroll in college level programs. Approximately forty percent of the police officers enrolled themselves in state and community colleges.

 
YOUTH BUREAU
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On January 7, 1971, the appointment of a Youth Officer was created to combat the drug abuse menace that had heightened an awareness of the multiple problems that beset the youth and families of the community. A Youth Bureau was established on June 3, 1971, aimed at the prevention of delinquent behavior through education, assistance and programs.
 
TACTICAL UNIT
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Traffic and auto accident problems continued to increase annually in magnitude, complexity and cost. To address the problem, the police department in 1972 formed the tactical Unit to perform selective enforcement and used mobile radar units to detect speeders. During the latter part of the 1970's, civilian dispatches and police aides were established to free-up police officers for pro-active patrol, investigations and crime prevention.
 
   
The shoulder emblem that currently graces the Garden City Police department is more than a methodology of identification. Introduced to the police officers in 1970, the emblem with its rich history and symbolism brings pride to the officers who wear it.

The gold rampant lion in the center symbolizes the fierceness, bravery and wisdom of the king of beasts. It was attained from the Scottish ancestral Stewart family coat-of-arms, (founder of Garden City). The blue shield symbolizes protection and dedication under law and order and the rope binds the two together. Two stars symbolize the sister cities of Garden City, New York and Coburg, Germany.

Today's Garden city Police Officer is a professional in every respect, dedicated to public service, while continuously training to assure that the department is one of the finest law enforcement agencies in t the country.

Garden City Police Department
October 1919

Chief A.T. Conran

Sgt. Frank Copious
Ptl. Charles Andrews
Ptl. George Long
Ptl. Frank Combs
Ptl. John Bravo
Ptl. Harrison Pierce
Ptl. Arthur Payne
Ptl. Charles VanVooris
Ptl. Harry Cornelius
Ptl. Thomas Brown
Ptl. Edward Denton
Ptl. Byron Graham
Ptl. Charles Warmer
Ptl. Patrick Boyle
Ptl. Adam Yulch
Ptl. Anton S. Harrington
Ptl. Arthur Vandewater
Ptl. Paul Diand
   
Left to right: Ptl. Stephen Vandewater and Ptl. A. Fredericks on their Indian Motorcycle in the 1930's
 
COMMISSIONER ERNEST J. CIPULLO
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Spanning the years of police chiefs recalls the names of Alexander Conran, Arthur Vandewater, Stephen Vandewater, Joseph Dorkins, William Carroll, William Kearns and presently Ernest J. Cipullo, Commissioner of Police. Since 1981, under the leadership of Commissioner Cipullo, all personnel have attended ongoing extensive in-service training in all phases of police work. New recruits are required to attend the county police academy for seven months before performing their police duties. This training enables the department to provide the community with high quality police service. In 1984, a detective division was established to address the increase of reported crimes. The increase was attributed to, among other circumstance, an influx of transient population brought about by commercial development within the area. Following a May, 1984 front cover story in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin that taught children about DWI, The Youth Bureau acquired national recognition. Later on, the department received awards from the Highway Safety Traffic Institute of Northwest University, National Highway Traffic Administration, and the 100th U.S.Congress transcribed the achievement in the congressional record on November 9, 1987. To confront the increase of several thousand vehicles ranging from motor scooters to seventy five foot tractor trailers passing through the village daily, a traffic safety unit making truck stop inspections was formed.
 
EMERGENCY 9-1-1
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As The Computer age of the 1990s approached, the police department installed a 17-station local area network. Emergency number 911 has been integrated into the department's computer system. This integration permits the police dispatcher to ascertain the location of the caller by video display, even if there is no voice contact.