As frontline supervisors in the world’s largest municipal patrol force, effective leadership is the key to all of NYPD’s success in law enforcement, public safety and public service.
The purpose and mission of a NYPD sergeant, and their predecessors who were known as Roundsmen, has not changed since the inception of the Municipal Police Department in 1844.
In 1899, just one year following the consolidation of the city’s five boroughs and the formation of the NYPD, the Department’s supervisory officers formed a fraternal organization known as the Police Sergeants Endowment and Benevolent Association.
SBA Uniform & Symbols represent a tribute to pride, commitment and dedication, whether it's our 8-point cap with gold device and chinstrap or short sleeve shirt with black shoes and duty belt.
The Municipal Police is formed in 1844, and renamed the Metropolitan Police in 1857. Female matrons are hired in 1888, and in 1891 Wiley Overton becomes the city’s first African American patrolman.
NYPD sergeants supervise police officers and detectives in a wide array of patrol, investigatory and specialized duties. In doing so, they also serve on the front lines in promoting public safety and enforcing laws.
For more than 150 years the three inverted Vs on their sleeves - commonly referred to as stripes or chevrons - indicate the sergeant’s integral role in frontline leadership as it relates to public safety.
We hope that you are all looking forward to the joys of summer and spending much well-deserved leisure time with your loved ones. While it appears that we are close to obtaining a new contract, there are still issues to be addressed such as 12-hour tours….
Congratulations on successfully passing the competitive civil service test and being placed on the Promotion to Sergeant list. You should be both proud of and excited about your accomplishment. Being a New York City Sergeant can be one of the most challenging but fulfilling positions in all of law enforcement.