Port Washington Police District
| Port Washington Police District | |
|---|---|
| File:PWPD Emblem, Port Washington, Long Island, New York.jpeg Official Emblem of the PWPD | |
| Abbreviation | PWPD |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | November 1921 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | United States |
| Legal jurisdiction | Much of the Greater Port Washington area of Nassau County, New York. |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 500 Port Washington Boulevard, Port Washington, NY 11050 |
| Website | |
| portwashingtonpd | |
The Port Washington Police District is a police district serving portions of the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, Long Island, New York, United States. The district includes Baxter Estates and Port Washington North, and nearly all of Port Washington.[1] It is the only special police district in the state.[2]
History
The Port Washington Police District was established in November 1921, after an uptick in burglaries plagued the Greater Port Washington area, in addition to a large influx of new residents.[3][4][5] The first day of operations was January 1, 1922.[3][4][5]
In 1925, the creation of the Nassau County Police Department led to the New York State Attorney General Albert Ottinger voicing his opinion that all other special police districts in Nassau County be eliminated in favor of the NCPD.[3] The issue, which involved concerns of being double-taxed over police protection, led to the budget being held up that year.[3][4][5]
In 1933, the PWPD was officially recognized and legislated after the majority of North Hempstead voters voted on August 2, 1933 in favor of keeping the district.[3] On May 28, 1934, Governor Herbert Lehman authorized the town board to appoint commissioners; the control over the district would then be given by the town board to the commissioners. It was on that day when the PWPD was declared a separate unit.[4][5][6]
In 1979, the Nassau County District Attorney investigated the PWPD after the police chief revealed that the commissioner had been allowed to remain in his position despite failing the civil service exam three times.[2]
In 1984, residents and officials in the Incorporated Village of Manorhaven debated whether or not the village should join the Port Washington Police District.[7][8] If approved, the Port Washington Police District would take over police services within the village from the Nassau County Police Department.[7][8] Those in favor of the plan felt that the Port Washington Police District would be able to better serve the needs of the village, while opponents had concerns over potential tax increases as a result of joining the district.[7] Ultimately, Manorhaven decided to remain under the jurisdiction of the Nassau County Police Department, which, as of 2022, continues to provide the village with its police services.[1][8] Manorhaven had previously debated the same issue of whether or not to replace the NCPD with the PWPD in 1948; the outcome in 1948 was the same as in 1984.[8][9]
In the 1990s, the PWPD faced a series of lawsuits over gender and racial discrimination in hiring and promoting.[10][11]
In 2021, the Port Washington Police District celebrated its centennial.[3][12]
Board of Police Commissioners
As of August 2022[update], the Port Washington Police District's Board of Commissioners consists of Angela Lawlor Mullins, Frank T. Scobbo, and Brian G. Staley Sr.[3][11][13][14][15]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Long Island Index: Interactive Map". www.longislandindexmaps.org. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- ^ a b Kavee, Rona (1979-10-21). "A Mystery: The Police Chief Case". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ a b c d e f g Andrea Mastrocinque-Martone (2021-08-19). "Police Centennial Sees Major Milestones In Port's Illustrious Past". Port Washington News. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ a b c d Pitaro, Francesca (2006). "GUIDE TO THE PORT WASHINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT COLLECTION" (PDF). Port Washington Public Library. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ a b c d "PWPD History | Port Washington Police District NY". Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- ^ "LEHMAN VOTOES CANAL CLAIM BILL; Refuses to Extend Law Permitting Employes to Demand Increases in Wages. TWO MEASURES APPROVED Port Washington Police District Continued and Civil Service Act Amended". The New York Times. 1934-05-28. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ a b c English, Merle (August 1, 1984). "Debate on Police Divides Village". Newsday. p. 26 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b c d English, Merle (September 24, 1984). "Village to Keep County Police Services". Newsday – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Village May 'Secede' From County Cops". Newsday. July 28, 1943. pp. 3, 54 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Saslow, Linda (1994-01-30). "Port Washington Police Enmeshed in Suits Contending Bias". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ a b "Port Washington elects first Black police commissioner". Newsday. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ Staff, Port News (2021-07-17). "Celebrating The Port Police's 100th Anniversary". Port Washington News. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ "Commissioners | Port Washington Police District NY". Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- ^ "Port Washington Police Commissioner Election: Staley Victorious". Port Washington, NY Patch. 2020-12-09. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- ^ Pelaez, Robert (2021-12-15). "Incumbent commissioners retain seats in Port Washington special district elections - Featured". The Island Now. Retrieved 2022-08-12.