A Historical Review of the C.L.S.A.

The sworn members of the Yonkers Police Department organized the Yonkers Police Association (YPA). This organization became the official voice of representation for all of its members in all of the association’s dealings between management and rank and file. The Yonkers Police Association's membership at that time consisted of police officers, captains, lieutenants, and sergeants. The Y.P.A. became the recognized legal bargaining agent between the city and the Y.P.A. members regarding grievances and negotiations for members' salaries and benefits.

The first dinner dance, named “The First Annual Banquet and Reception of the Yonkers Police Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants Association,” was held in the main dance hall of the Elks Club located on South Broadway. Approximately 450 people attended the event, many of whom were local citizens. The well-known Professor Albert Walsh’s orchestra played throughout the evening. The decorations displayed in the Elks Club main dining hall were said to be “the most striking to be seen at a public function in some time.” The entire ceiling of the dining hall was decorated with strings and bunches of balloons. Behind the dais hung a valuable tapestry loaned by Urban Studios. Large plaques with images of George Washington and Calvin Coolidge occupied places of honor. At each table place setting was a printed program with a picture of George Washington on the cover.

Captain Cooper, who did not run for re-election that year and was succeeded by Lt. John C. Scheibel, was the “toastmaster” and made the opening remarks. Cooper discussed the various phases of a police officer’s job and praised the men in the police department for their fine work. He paid special tribute to Police Officer Alexander Reid for the courage and dedication to duty he had shown following an accident he had on his police motorcycle while on patrol. Officer Reid had sustained an injury that had required the amputation of his foot, but he declined retirement and received approval to remain working in the Department in some other capacity.

Mayor William A. Walsh congratulated the Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants on the founding of the C.L.S.A. and said, “The greatest good can be accomplished by such an organization. No one individual can get the results that a group can.” He went on to say, “It is much better if the policemen have their organization, and the officers have their own separate organization. There are many questions pertaining to the superior officers that do not extend to the men in the ranks. Further, there is always a danger of a clash of interests. In regard to our policemen, there are none better than those found in the City of Yonkers.”

The first annual dinner dance of the C.L.S.A. proved to be a resounding success. Hundreds of policemen and ranking officers, many with their wives, attended along with nearly every prominent person in law enforcement, public service, and private industry.