History of Endicott police department

By SajahAlkhalidy

  • First ambulence

    First ambulence
    The Endicott police identified the need for an ambulance and acquired a 1935 Ford ambulance nicknamed, "The Black Mariah." They continued an ambulance service until it was taken over by the union volunteer emergency squad in 1978.

  • Iron claws

    Iron claws
    Police were given iron claws to control individuals that are giving an officer trouble. This increased efficiency in arrests.

  • Marine division

    Marine division
    The Endicott police department started a marine division. This allowed policing on land and water to control more crime.

  • Lee H. Sands is chief

    Lee H. Sands is chief
    During the time Sands was chief, the department benefited from a county wide radio system that let officers communicate with each other. Youth were invited to the department to participate in the Endicott police junior rifle club that taught youth firearms and marksmanship skills. Also, officers of the department wore body armor for the first time. The police department earned respect and exercised safety.

  • Police department uses computers

    Police department uses computers
    During the time Walter D. Ford Jr. was chief, the Endicott police department was among the first in the region to use computers. Computer use makes policing more organized and efficient.

  • First female police officer

    First female police officer
    Officer Tracy Ellis was appointed the first female officer at Endicott police department. She paved the way for five other female officers who worked for Endicott police department.

  • Department changes

    Department changes
    The communication division was dissolved and dispatchers were moved to a centralized dispatch under the Broome county office of emergency services. The chief directed a shift in the department toward community policing. Two patrol officers and a sergeant were assigned to a community policing unit. The unit helped foster ten new neighborhood watches and a civilian police academy.

  • Michael Cox is chief

    Michael Cox is chief
    During the time Michael Cox was chief, he created the first street crimes unit to target areas of high crime with concentrated patrol efforts. He also formed the departments first K9 unit. Endicott struggled with finances due to property reassessments because of Chief Cox's command of the department. The loss in revenue caused a large decrease of manpower for the department. They had the lowest man power they've had since the 40's or 50's. As a result, the street crimes unit disbanded.