Remember Serpico?

I just finished reading Serpico today. I’ve seen the movie several times, including recently, but this is the first time I’ve read Peter Maas’ story about Serpico. If you don’t know the story, see the movie or read the book (or both).

I was especially interested in Frank Serpico’s testimony before the Knapp Commission, when it was investigating corruption in the New York Police Department. After nine days of hearings, it appeared the Knapp Commission had collected all the public testimony it intended to gather. Political pressure mounted, and the Commission went after top brass and the mayor’s administration favorites. Serpico addressed the Commission in the second round with these words:

“Through my appearance here today I hope that police officers in the future will not experience the same frustration and anxiety that I was subjected to for the past five years at the hands of my superiors because of my attempt to report corruption.

“I was made to feel that I had burdened them with an unwanted task. The problem is that the atmosphere does not yet exist in which an honest police officer can act without fear of ridicule or reprisal from fellow officers.

“We create an atmosphere in which the honest officer fears the dishonest officer, and not the other way around. I hope that this investigation, and any future ones, will deal with corruption at all levels within the department, and not limit themselves to cases involving individual patrolmen.

“Police corruption cannot exist unless it is at least tolerated at higher levels in the department. Therefore, the most important result that can come from these hearings is a conviction by police officers, even more than the public, that the department will change.

“I also believe that it is most important for superior officers to develop an attitude of respect for the average patrolman. Every patrolman is an officer and should be treated as such by his superiors.

“A policeman’s attitude about himself reflects in large measure the attitude of his superiors toward him. If they feel his job is important and has stature, so will he.

“It is just as important for policemen to change their attitudes toward the public. A policeman’s first obligation is to be responsible to the needs of the community he serves.

“The department must realize that an effective, continuing relationship between the police and the public is more important than an impressive arrest record.

“The system of rewards within the Police Department should be based on a policeman’s over-all performance with the public rather than on his ability to meet arrest quotas. And merely uncovering widespread patterns of corruption will not resolve that problem.

“Basic changes in attitude and approach are vital. In order to insure this, an independent, permanent investigative body dealing with police corruption, like this commission, is essential.”

Peter Maas (1929-2001), Serpico, the cop who defied the system, pp. 301-302 (The Viking Press, New York. 1973)