GREY RIDERS 2007 VIDEO AUDIO TRANSCRIPT The New York State Police was established in 1917 through the efforts of two women, Kathryn Mayo and Moyca Newell. A foreman working for Newell was killed during a holdup attempt in a rural area of Westchester County. Mayo and Newell were outraged that so little effort was made to apprehend the assailants. Together they helped form a “Committee for State Police.” On April 11, 1917, Governor Charles Whitman signed into law a bill creating the Department of State Police. George Fletcher Chandler, an army physician, was called upon to organize and create this new police force. As the first superintendent, Chandler decided to use syllables from both women’s last names and called the training site “Camp Newayo.” The following June, Chandler began training 236 men on a farm in Manlius, NY. They had been chosen from over 2000 who had taken a competitive exam held the previous month. After completing their training, the new troopers rode off to their new troop assignments across the State. These men became known as the “Grey Riders.” Their sacrifice, dedication and commitment created the proud tradition of the New York State Troopers. Today, the New York State Police workforce consists of over 4,900 sworn members who are complimented by over 1,100 non-sworn members. Together, these dedicated men and women provide a vast array of services to the citizens of New York State, helping to ensure the State Police remains one of the premiere law enforcement agencies in the world. In addition to traditional patrol duties performed by uniform troopers, well trained specialty units were created to provide high tech police support throughout the state. Some troopers are assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit. These troopers are trained in truck size, weight, driver and vehicle safety, and hazardous materials enforcement. There are troopers who, along with their K9 partners, search for illegal drugs, explosive devices, and help search for missing and wanted persons. The Motorcycle Unit participates in events around the State. They are assigned to charitable benefits, large-scale sporting events, crowd control, funerals, parades, and escorts. Troopers assigned to the Marine Unit enforce the laws on the waterways of the State. These members use boats, jet-skis and other watercraft to enforce navigation laws, assist boaters in distress, provide search and rescue and water safety at special events. Other troopers are often faced with dangerous materials and devices. The CCERT team is trained to handle chemically hazardous environments that could be lethal. The Bomb Disposal Unit is called into action for emergencies dealing with explosives, fireworks, homemade devices and suspicious packages. Other troopers are assigned to the Scuba Unit. These members work under water to aid in the recovery of drowning victims and physical evidence. The divers descend into muddy waters, ice covered lakes and turbulent oceans to accomplish their dangerous missions. The Mobile Response Team is a special group of highly trained troopers who are equipped for the most dangerous and hazardous emergencies relating to terrorism, hostage taking, civil disobedience, search and rescue, narcotics raids, dignitary protection, and natural or man made disasters. Some troopers fly airplanes and helicopters in the Aviation Unit. These pilots perform searches, aerial speed enforcement, rescues, and medevacs. They also rapidly transport scuba divers and MRT members to emergency situations. A number of troopers function as instructors, teaching up to date and precise information to new recruit troopers. Other troopers are called School Resource Officers. These Troopers work with school districts throughout the state. They serve as troopers, teachers and counselors to students, staff and parents making schools a safer place for the children of New York. Troopers assigned to the Office of Counter Terrorism work with the goal of preventing, investigating and responding to terrorist threats across the state. They work in conjunction with the State Office of Homeland Security and local law enforcement to protect the citizens of New York from future terror attacks. There are troopers who earn the position of investigator in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. They conduct investigations into the most serious of crimes. The Violent Crime Investigative Teams and the Community Narcotics Enforcement Teams partner with local law enforcement agencies to rid communities of drug trafficking and street crime. Investigators assigned in the Computer Crimes Unit deal with technology based crimes. Internet crimes against children, pornography, money laundering, and credit card fraud are just a few of the offenses investigated by this Unit. Other specialty units include Casino Gaming, Auto theft, Child Abuse and Exploitation, and Domestic Violence Intervention Unit. In addition to its sworn members, the State Police has over 1,100 civilian employees who provide an assortment of invaluable services and functions, which allow the state police to accomplish its mission. There is a scientific laboratory staffed by forensic doctors, scientists, and support personnel. These experts assist troopers and investigators in collecting, examining, preparing scientific evidence and providing expert courtroom testimony during criminal prosecutions throughout the state. Informational Services professionals provide a wide range of computerized services, including: database applications, website administration, computer networking, and maintenance of hundreds of desk and lap top computers statewide. They also support the New York Statewide Information system, used by all law enforcement agencies throughout the state to access criminal and motor vehicle information instantaneously. Communication specialists are often the life line for citizens throughout the state who are in need of immediate emergency assistance. These specialized individuals take citizen complaints, dispatch troopers to calls for service and emergencies, and answer cellular 911 calls. These employees also provide medical information to citizens over the telephone, ranging from instructions on delivering a baby to performing CPR on an unresponsive person. The State Police mechanics maintain and service Division’s fleet of motor vehicles, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Further, among the other numerous support personnel, there are pilots, video production specialists, photographers, records administrators, financial analysts, and clerical and maintenance staff. Each and every employee plays an integral role in achieving the mission of the agency. The dedicated men and women of the New York State Police have served the people of New York State with distinction and honor for more than 90 years. The exemplary combination of sworn and civilian employees is the foundation of one of the best law enforcement agencies in the country. The collective efforts have shaped a proud history and the promise of a strong future. They are your New York State Police.