Police Program
Theodore Roosevelt played a pivotal role in reforming the New York City Police Department (NYPD) during his tenure as Police Commissioner from 1895 to 1897. He joined the police board amidst a climate of significant corruption, exposed by the Lexow Committee report, and became famous for his hands-on approach to rooting out misconduct among officers. Roosevelt would conduct midnight patrols, often in disguise or accompanied by journalists, personally catching officers neglecting their duties or accepting bribes, and swiftly disciplining them.
Reform Efforts
Theodore Roosevelt instituted new entrance exams, established merit-based qualifications for police officers, and fired or forced the resignation of corrupt individuals. His administration increased ethnic diversity and supported the inclusion of women in the police force. He introduced technological advancements such as bicycles for rapid policing, pistol training to improve marksmanship, and call boxes that allowed police to communicate quickly with their stations. Roosevelt also brought the Bertillon system of mug shots and fingerprinting to New York, modernizing identification methods.
Enforcement and Accountability
Theodore Roosevelt’s reforms often met resistance, notably in his strict enforcement of laws such as the Sunday liquor ban. His efforts to curtail bribery and political favoritism led to friction with powerful entities like Tammany Hall, resulting in legislative changes that eventually led to the dissolution of the police commission he served on. While he did not fully eliminate corruption, Roosevelt’s time as commissioner established a model of professionalized, centralized, and accountable policing that influenced the development of American law enforcement throughout the 20th century.
Theodore Roosevelt Police Awards
The Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) established the Theodore Roosevelt® Police Awards in honor of Roosevelt's distinguished service as President of the Board of Police Commissioners of New York City from May 6, 1895 to April 19, 1897, and in recognition of TR's lifelong admiration for the police.
The first Theodore Roosevelt® Police Award was presented in 1983 in New York City, honoring the 125th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt's birth. In the ensuing decades, more than 150 officers from communities across the United States have been honored with Theodore Roosevelt® Police Awards.
Eligibility: Police officers who have returned to duty after overcoming a major physical injury, serious illness, and have an outstanding record of service.
- Selection: The recipients are nominated and selected by the officer’s department.
- Purpose: To honor officers who, like Theodore Roosevelt, have persevered through adversity and continue to serve their communities.
- Awards: Recipients receive a silver medal, a commendation bar, and a bust of Theodore Roosevelt. Contact the TRA for more information at info@theodoreroosevelt.org.
- Ceremony: Awards are presented at local ceremonies across the country. Media, family members, and supporters are in attendance.
The awards are given annually in various cities, with honorees selected by their respective police departments. The TRA Police Award includes a silver medal designed by sculptor Marc Mellon, a red, white, and blue commendation bar for daily wear, and a bust of Theodore Roosevelt by sculptor Gleb Derujunski.
More than 150 officers from multiple communities have received this honor over the decades, highlighting their courage and commitment to public safety despite personal physical hardships, embodying Roosevelt's spirit of resilience and service.
To learn more and to coordinate a Theodore Roosevelt® Police Award in your community, please send an email to info@theodoreroosevelt.org.
TRA Police Officer Membership
Join the Theodore Roosevelt Association’s Police Membership, where bravery, commitment, and community service come together. Inspired by Theodore Roosevelt’s “Strenuous Life” philosophy, our members—comprising law enforcement and military professionals—actively participate in meaningful volunteer work, civic projects, and immersive experiences that strengthen communities and uphold Roosevelt’s enduring legacy. Connect with peers through exclusive networking events, enhance leadership skills at engaging symposiums, and push your physical limits with fitness challenges that foster resilience and team spirit. Together, we create lasting impact while embracing a bold spirit of service and leadership.
Become a Member Today
Suggested Reading
Here is a curated book list about Theodore Roosevelt and his connection to the police, especially the New York City Police Department (NYPD):
- Commissioner Roosevelt: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt and the New York City Police, 1895-1897
Author: H. Paul Jeffers
This nonfiction book provides a detailed account of Roosevelt's reform efforts as NYPD Police Commissioner, highlighting his fight against corruption and modernization of the force through merit-based promotion and new technologies.
- Police Administration and Progressive Reform: Theodore Roosevelt as Police Commissioner of New York
Author: Jay Stuart Berman
This academic work analyzes Roosevelt's term in the context of Progressive Era reform, emphasizing his professional model that combined centralized control, strict recruitment standards, and moralistic law enforcement.
- Theodore Roosevelt Mystery Series
Author: Lawrence Alexander
This series of mystery novels fictionalizes Roosevelt's time as NYPD Police Commissioner, blending historical reform efforts with detective stories set in 1890s New York City.
- Island of Vice: Theodore Roosevelt’s Doomed Quest to Clean Up Sin-Loving New York
Author: Richard Zacks
This book delves into Roosevelt's challenges cleaning up New York City's vice and corruption when he took over the police department, capturing the complexities and resistance he faced.
- Hot Time (A Gilded Age Mystery Novel)
Author: W. H. Flint
A suspenseful novel set during Roosevelt's NYPD commissioner days, dramatizing his reform efforts and struggles with corruption through a tale of blackmail and murder during the 1896 election.
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