New York City Police Department
Records, photographs, and AV materials of the NYPD date from 1880-1980s.
→1890 New York City Police Census
→Guide to 1890 New York City Police Census
In 1890, New York City officials questioned the accuracy of the City’s population count in the United States federal census. As a result, the New York Police Department was tasked with conducting an independent census which was done between September 29 and October 14, 1890. This collection consists of the original police census volumes that record the name, age, and address of residents of the city. Due to the destruction of nearly all of the 1890 federal census, the police census is uniquely valuable in bridging the crucial gap between 1880 and 1900.
→New York Police Department Bertillon cards
Criminal identification cards, complete with photos, fingerprints, age, height, weight, and bertillon measurements.
→New York Police Department surveillance films
→Guide to New York Police Department surveillance films
Throughout the 20th century, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) conducted overt and covert surveillance on groups and individuals identified as potential security threats to the City. The collection consists of black and white 16 mm silent surveillance films shot by the NYPD Photo Unit for Manhattan (PUM) for the Bureau of Special Services and Investigations (BOSSI). The subjects include a broad range of political activist groups and events from 1960 to 1980.
→New York Police Department Aviation Unit
The Aviation Unit of the NYPD is an advanced air-and-sea rescue and law enforcement unit that provides tactical support to police officers on the ground, fast rope deployments, fire suppression, maritime security operations, high-rise and roof-top insertions, and hoist operations, as well as serving as an air ambulance. The images include equipment, events, and staff of the Aviation Unit.
New York Police Department photographs
The collection includes photographs from the departmental operations and emergency services units, dating from 1928 to 1941. The departmental photographs document activities unrelated to criminal investigations such as political organizations monitored by the “Alien Squad.” The Emergency Services Unit photographs document street car accidents, early airplane crashes, and various other incidents.
Crime-scene photographs depict victims including homicide victims, police officers, vehicles, horses, dogs, evidence, police equipment, and mug shots.
The collection can be accessed by contacting [email protected].
Learn about the Department of Records and Information Services Harmful Content Statement.
