In 1986, Troop L Headquarters relocated from Islip Terrace to a new Headquarters Facility in Farmingdale. The opening of the Southern Tier Regional Crime Laboratory in Port Crane and the Western Regional Crime Laboratory in Olean continued State Police efforts to make its Crime Laboratory services more convenient and accessible to local police agencies. Five more satellite offices were also opened in 1980, and two were added in 1981, bringing the total number of satellite offices to 67. In 1983, Governor Mario M. Cuomo appointed Donald O. Chesworth to succeed the retiring Superintendent William Connelie. Superintendent Chesworth was a former FBI agent and Monroe County District Attorney.
Police provides to local law enforcement agencies.
Many new programs were initiated to address specific crime problems. The creation of the SIU doubled the number of State Police personnel dedicated to investigating organized crime. The SIU works closely with the Organized Crime Task Force attached to the Attorney General's Office. A major modernization of the Division's Aviation Fleet was undertaken. In 1983, two Bell Long Ranger Jet helicopters were purchased and two more helicopters were added in 1984.