The New York Civil Liberties Union, headed by that arbitor of just what are, and who should have, civil liberties, Norman Siegel, has dragged out the aging former police officer (who got a gold shield only to appease him), Frank Serpico, in order to get some press and notoriety. Suffering a dismal appearance not too long ago when they tried to tell anyone who listened that Government should strictly regulate security cameras because they may interfer with the career goals of robbers and muggers, the NYCLU gave Serpico a script in a theatrical showing, telling the press that the organization will be telling local community boards about the over-hyped and greatly exagerated "epidemic" of police brutality. Obviously, the NYCLU's membership rolls are dwindling, and is in need of a transfusion of funds.
But anyone who remembers Serpico and his trials and tribulations, or saw the movie of the same name starring Al Pacino, or read the book, will remember that Frank's primary complaint about his co-workers in the NYPD during the 60's, was that they were making too much money, money that did not necessarily come in a check every two weeks. Despite the fact that the 1960's NYPD (and, for that matter, all the years prior) had a reputation as a department that did not tolerate back-talk from a perp, or found that certain "persuasions" were helpful in making a case, Serpico never made a big deal out of what was then the epitome of what was later called "police brutality."
The Knapp Commission, which came about only after Serpico's complaints made the front page of the New York Times, delved deeply into the financial corruption that was a common practice, from the cop on the beat, to the precinct squads, right up to the Borough Commands. However, Prosay doesn't remember reading anything of any systemic brutality being discussed or testified about at the Knapp hearings, although it was almost common practice.
Had Serpico just forgotten those episodes when he appeared before Knapp, feeling that taking money from gambling dens and numbers runners was of more significance? Who is he fooling?
He's not fooling anyone...he's just being used. Frank, despite his retirement, is still being used as a pawn, just like the NYCLU is using Joe Locuto of the Broad Channel "racist float" caper (whatever happend to that, anyway?). But, in order to try and maintain a closeness to his former job, Frank advocates in the New York Times article of 1/11/98, a one-time $2000 raise for all cops. Sorry, Frank, this won't work. Two thou may seem to be a lot to someone that got 3/4's 20+ years ago, but in today's market, that only comes out to $76 a check before taxes.
We rarely agree with anything DCPI Mode says, but we do this time. Mode's statement about this NYCLU puppet show starring Frank Serpico hits the nail right on the head: "This is just another example of Norman Siegel looking for media attention."
Immediately after his retirement from the NYPD, it was reported that Frank relocated to Switzerland. He did what he had to do, and no one today ever says that what he did wasn't necessary. Maybe he should just reconsider any future attempts to be brought up to the forefront in police matters, and refuse to be used by those who are attempting to enhance their own media appearance.
Let your legacy be what it was, Frank, and retire gracefully.
Update(1/24): Last night, on CourtTV, they did a brief story on another Knapp Commission testifier of fact, Bill Philips, who got caught on a wire by the Feds taking money, and then spilled the beans on everyone else. He later was convicted of two murders that to this day he says he did not commit. During this CourtTV short story, which included a one-on-one interview with an aging Philips from an upstate NY prison, they showed some old Knapp TV footage. Interestingly, there was no mention of assaulting perps, or pointing guns, or any stuff that Frank Serpico now believes is a new problem in the NYPD. Again, this is hardly the truth. But if the NYCLU can't keep its nose in the public view, it needs a 'Serpico' to keep them alive, even if the 'Serpico' has to be a political pawn hypocrite.
