Senate Resolution No. 336

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Nassau
County Police Department in 2025

WHEREAS, The quality of life in the State of New York is largely
reflective of the commitment and dedication which are demonstrated by
members of the agencies which serve to protect, preserve, and maintain
public order; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens who devote their life's work and
purpose to public service, contributing to the care and welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Nassau County Police Department
to be celebrated at the Centennial Gala at the David S. Mack Center for
Training and Intelligence in Garden City, New York, on Tuesday, April
22, 2025; and

WHEREAS, This Centennial Gala will commemorate the 100-year history
of the Nassau County Police Department by bringing together members of
law enforcement, residents, business and community leaders, and
government officials to recognize the contributions of the NCPD; and

WHEREAS, The Nassau County Police Department began in 1925 due to a
concern about rising crime rates; the County Board of Supervisors voted
to create the Department which would replace a system of constables and
town and village police departments; and

WHEREAS, At its inception, the Nassau County Police Department
consisted of the Chief of Police (later, Commissioner), 55 officers, and
a fingerprint expert; by 1932, the force had expanded to 450 officers;
by the time the Chief retired in 1945, the Department employed 650
officers; and

WHEREAS, After World War II and the subsequent rapid suburbanization
of Nassau County, there were 1,000 officers in six precincts by 1950; by
the 1970s, the Department had grown to its greatest strength with nearly
4,200 officers; presently, the Nassau County Police Department remains
one of the largest county police agencies in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Today, remaining true to its mission, the Nassau County
Police Department enhances the quality of life in the County by working
in cooperation with the diverse communities it serves; this vital
Department protects the lives and property of the residents and those
visiting Nassau County on Long Island, New York; and

WHEREAS, By enforcing the law within the framework of the
Constitution, the dedicated members of the Nassau County Police
Department pledge to protect the people of Nassau County, preserve the
peace, and contribute to a safe environment for all; it is incumbent for

the citizens of the State of New York to honor a century of dedicated
service and sacrifice which the Department's members have provided; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the men and women who serve this vital
organization will continue to maintain and enhance the public's trust by
asserting the highest ethical standards; the guiding philosophy of the
Nassau County Police Department is its existence as a "service-oriented"
police department, promoting the concept of the community as a client
and the police as a provider; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Nassau County Police Department
has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities
which it serves; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Nassau County Police Department, with
their proficient skills and regard for the County they so competently
serve, truly epitomize the role of a community police department; these
brave men and women tirelessly and selflessly serve the residents of the
Nassau County community with compassion, integrity, and fairness,
attributes which will forever serve as an example for generations of
officers to come; and

WHEREAS, The great State of New York is fortunate to have brave
public servants, like the members of the Nassau County Police
Department, who risk their lives in the line of duty each day to protect
the residents of our communities; no greater debt is owed than that to
those who are willing to put service over self; and

WHEREAS, The tradition of altruistic public service, heroism, and
leadership, embodied by the Nassau County Police Department, is worthy
of statewide recognition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Nassau County Police
Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Nassau County Police Department.