About City of Poughkeepsie Police

The City of Poughkeepsie was incorporated as a village in on March 27, 1799. During that time, there was no police force, only a watchman or two, and the town constables. After Poughkeepsie was chartered as a city in 1854, the aldermen of the four wards chose the first officers that would serve in city government. Those officers were John Winslow, who served as City Marshall, and James Sparks and William Graham. In 1883, the board of Police Commissioners was formed to assume day to day operations of the police department.

Today, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department has expanded considerably to include 92 sworn members and 29 civilian employees. Departments include Administration, Uniformed Patrol, Detective and Juvenile Divisions, Narcotics, Community Policing, Traffic and Marine Patrol. Many officers also participate in a variety of specializations such as K-9, Bicycle Patrol, SWAT team, Crime Scene Technician, Crisis Intervention, Accident Reconstruction, and Youth and Police Initiative.

Chief Thomas Pape began his career for the City of Poughkeepsie as a Patrol Officer in 1983. In 1994, he was promoted to Sergeant. Over the years, he assumed duties on the Narcotics Unit and Special Units, and steadily rose to the rank of Captain. In 2016, Mayor Rob Rolison asked him to assume the duties of Police Chief, where he still serves today.

The City of Poughkeepsie Police is proud to work side by side with the CPCA and has one of their own officers, Matt Tatar, co-located at the Child Advocacy Center, helping children seek justice.

35 Van Wagner Road
Poughkeepsie, New York 12603
845-454-0595
info@thecpca.org
Monday—Friday 9AM to 5PM