Nassau County officials are looking ahead to an upcoming celebration in April, honoring the 100th anniversary of the Nassau County Police Department .
The police department was founded in April 1925 with 55 officers, and it has grown into one of the largest police departments in the country, with roughly 2,600 officers serving a population of more than 1.3 million residents.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman laid out the plans for the centennial celebration on Wednesday outside of Mulcahy's, a pub and concert hall in Wantagh.
Blakeman praised the NCPD, saying it was “a storied police department, that is known throughout the world as one of the finest police departments.” The celebrations will begin with a motorcycle parade starting on Wantagh and Beltagh Avenue at 2 p.m. on April 27 and will finish with a block party on Railroad Avenue, also in Wantagh, from 3 to 8 p.m.
He added that he hopes to make it the biggest police motorcycle parade in the county's history. Blakeman was joined by Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips and Nassau County Legislators Michael Giangregorio and John Ferretti.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, who was joined by dozens of police officers, said that they have invited every living commissioner and chief to attend the parade and march with the NCPD as well as village police departments.
In addition the motorcycle parade will display past and present vehicles and pipe bands, according to Ryder. “It’s going to be a great party,” he said. “We’re going to say thank you to the men and women who have served.”
Following Ryder’s remarks Blakeman presented a 100-year anniversary edition police bar, which is a commendation worn on a police uniform, similar to military ribbons, to recognize an officer's achievements or service. The bar was given to Detective Kenneth Baribault who nearly lost his life when a drunk driver smashed into his police cruiser on the Long Island Expressway 17 years ago. Baribault was accompanied by his service dog, Lady.
Blakeman encouraged residents and officers to take part in the celebration, while also encouraging as many motorcycle clubs from police departments to show up.
“I told the commissioner to invite every motorcycle unit of every police department in the United States,” said Blakeman. “If any want to come from our 51st state of Canada or south of the border in Mexico, we would be happy to have them as well.”
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