ABOUT THIS BOOK

As debates about defunding US police forces continue, this book offers an enlightening historical overview of one of the largest metropolitan contingents: the New York City Police Department.

The NYPD is America’s largest and most celebrated law enforcement agency. This book examines the history of policing in New York City, from colonial days and the formation of the NYPD at the turn of the twentieth century, through 1930s battles with the Mafia to the Zero Tolerance of the 1990s. Jules Stewart explores political influence, corruption, reform, and community relations through stories of the NYPD’s commissioners and the visions they had for the force and the city, as well as at the level of cops on the beat.

This book is an indispensable chronicle for anyone interested in policing and the history of New York.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Jules Stewart is a New York–born, London–based writer. Among his many books, he is coauthor of Madrid: Midnight City, also published by Reaktion Books, and the author of Gotham Rising: New York in the 1930s.

REVIEWS

“Stewart has written an intriguing history of the New York City Police Department replete with colorful characters, surprising facts, and entertaining anecdotes. His deft narrative leads the reader through the history of law enforcement, from the cobblestones of New Amsterdam to the metropolis of the twenty-first century.”

— Jeffrey Kroessler, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York

“This is the story of the NYPD: The very good, the very bad, and the very ugly. Policing the Big Apple takes the reader from the onset of the new world to the twenty-first century. Enjoy the journey, you’ll be glad you did.”

— Charles Campisi, author of "Blue on Blue: An Insider’s Story of Good Cops Catching Bad Cops" and former Chief of the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau Section, from the foreword

“Excellent read and insightful exploration of the history of New York’s Finest.”

— Jim Dooley, Captain, NYPD (Ret.)

"Policing the Big Apple is the definitive history of the NYPD. Eminently readable and surprisingly timely, Stewart shows that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction."

— Peter Moskos, Professor of Law, Police Science, and Criminal Justice Administration, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

"A new book, Policing the Big Apple: The Story of the NYPD by Stewart, tells all about the Manhattan boys in blue, in wonderfully gory detail."

— Oldie

"This book examines the history of policing in New York City, from colonial days and the formation of the New York Police Department at the turn of the twentieth century, through battles with the Mafia in the 1930s to Zero Tolerance of the 1990s. It explores political influence, corruption, reform, and community relations through a look at the NYPD’s commissioners and the visions they had for the force and the city, as well as at the level of cops on the beat."

— Baron

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Foreword by Charles Campisi

Introduction

1: The Green Light

2: Turn of the Century Blue

3: The Slippery Slope

4: ‘Don’t Be Afraid to Muss ’Em Up’

5: A Valentine for the Mob

6: Fear City

7: Get Those Broken Windows Fixed

8: Zero Means Zero

9: The Force Is With You

References

Bibliography

Acknowledgements

Photo Acknowledgements

Index

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