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The Knapp Commission and NYPD Corruption

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Michael Armstrong describes the1970-72 Knapp Commission investigation into police corruption, prompted by the New York Times' report on whistleblower cop Frank Serpico. In They Wished They Were Honest he examines how the commission affected the NYPD's public image, what leads to police corruption, and the toll it takes on society.  

Guests:

Michael Armstrong

Comments [7]

tom LI

To Elle, et al..."honesty" is relative. Letting crime go by, especially when one is in Law enforcement is not honest in my book.

All these Honest Uncles/Brothers/Fathers, etc out there...its the same mentality as the Parent who says, "Not my kid!"

May. 30 2012 06:39 PM

How about ticket quotas???

I had a cop tell me point blank, "Today is seatbelt ticket day, I have a quota to write "only seatbelt tickets today." This while I was removing my seatbelt as I was trying to park exactly where their cop was standing!!!

When I went to court, I told the judge what the cop said and IMMEDIATELY, a cop waiting to testify in his own BS cases (not the courtroom cop), told me in a loud voice that I needed to move along...

When I asked the cop if he was a party to my case, the judge told him to shut up.

It didn't keep the judge declaring me guilty!!

TOTAL KORRUPT® BS!!!

May. 30 2012 01:56 PM
oscar from ny

Didnt rommney say that america should be the police of the world?...smh

May. 30 2012 01:51 PM
Peter B from New City, NY

Could Mr. Armstrong talk about the role played by David Durk, who rarely gets credit for exposing police corruption, but - to my understanding - was crucial in his support for Frank Serpico and, indeed, for many other NYPD whistleblowers in years since?

May. 30 2012 01:48 PM
Elle from Brooklyn

I meant "Yet, he was disgusted by Serpico"

May. 30 2012 01:36 PM
Elle from Brooklyn

My uncle was also an honest cop. Because of this, he would have nothing to do with the rest of the department, and they would have nothing to do with him. Yet, he was disgusted by Serpico and thought he should have minded his own business. I suspect that a lot of cops, even the honest ones, felt that way. Maybe they still do.

May. 30 2012 01:34 PM
Elle from Brooklyn

My uncle was also an honest cop. Because of this, he would have nothing to do with the rest of the department, and they would have nothing to do with him. Yes, he was disgusted by Serpico and thought he should have minded his own business. I suspect that a lot of cops, even the honest ones, felt that way. Maybe they still do.

May. 30 2012 01:31 PM

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