George Fletcher Chandler

George Fletcher Chandler (December 13, 1872 – November 6, 1964) was an American surgeon, military officer and police administrator. He was appointed by the governor to organize the New York State Police, newly authorized in 1917, and served as its first superintendent from 1917 to 1923. They later worked together after Whitman went into politics and was elected as governor of the state.

Chandler studied the violin and was considered to have some talent. In 1900, he married Martha Marie Shultze, the daughter of the founder of Syracuse University's School of Music. They had two sons, Daniel and Fehmer, before her death in 1931.

Chandler served with the National Guard in 1917, when his unit was called up to respond to an invasion on the southern border with Mexico related to forces in its civil war. Shortly after returning to the state from the Pancho Villa Expedition, Chandler was tapped by his friend and New York Governor Charles S. Whitman to head and organize the New York State Police.

Chandler coined the term "New York State Trooper." Contrary to the norms of the time, he required that troopers carry their weapons exposed on the outside of their uniforms. More positively, he instituted rigorous processes for screening, training, and education of the force. Chandler also established the New York State School for Police, which emphasized legal training. This became a standard for police forces in the United States.