New York State Police Motorcycle Riders Reunion SUBMITTED BY WALT HORNBERGER, COMMANDER, NEW YORK STATE POLICE EMERGENCY SERVICES UNIT (RETIRED).
The New York State Police Reunion was hosted by Spitzies Harley-Davidson in Albany, NY
In 1917 a large portion of New York State was rural. The
first person selected to head up this new police organization was Colonel Chandler, a U. S. Army Surgeon and Calvary officer. Colonel Chandler’s concept was to form an organiza- tion based on the Army units he had experience with. In September of 1917 after months of training in the
T
Syracuse, NY, area the first New York State Troopers rode on horseback, in formation, to their new stations throughout the State of New York. The state was divided into geographi- cal areas called “Troops.” Each “Troop” was supplied with a horse for each Trooper, one Model “T” Ford truck and three motorcycles. From the very early days of the New York State Police, where the roads allowed, Troopers patrolled on motorcycles.
26 THE MOTOR OFFICER™ | FALL 2012 2012 marks the 95th year of the New York State Police
use of motorcycles. Each year a number of former riders and State Police his-
tory buffs hold a reunion. As in so many years in the past, this year’s reunion was hosted by Spitzies Harley-Davidson of Albany, NY. We are getting closer to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the New York State Police in 2017. There is no doubt that Harley-Davidson®
motorcycles will
play an important part of the 100th anniversary celebrations. The above photo shows some of the attendees at this years 95th riders reunion.
he New York State Police was founded in 1917 as a result of a botched murder investigation by local police. Two women were instrumental in the formation of a State Police organization dedicated to enhanced police techniques and investi- gations. The organization was formed in an effort to eliminate political influence in the implementation of state laws.
Guests enjoyed viewing historical items supplied by the New York State Police.