NYPD

The New York City Police Department (NYPD), established in 1845, stands as the largest municipal police force in the United States, boasting approximately 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees. Responsible for safeguarding an 8.5-million-strong populace, the NYPD undertakes a multifaceted role encompassing public safety, law enforcement, traffic management, counterterrorism, and emergency response. Over the past quarter-century, the department has achieved remarkable reductions in both violent and property crime, earning New York City the distinction of having the lowest major crime rate among the nation’s 25 largest cities.

Structured into major bureaus for enforcement, investigations, and administration, the NYPD operates through 77 patrol precincts manned by patrol officers and detectives covering the entire city. In addition, it oversees 12 transit districts to police the extensive subway system and nine police service areas (PSAs) dedicated to safeguarding public housing developments, accommodating over 400,000 residents. Uniformed civilians fulfill crucial roles as traffic safety agents on bustling city streets, patrolling highways, and as school safety agents, ensuring the protection of over a million students attending public schools.