'Serpico' and Police Corruption

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer reviews the movie 'Serpico' that shows police corruption or cops above the law. The writer addresses many scenes in the movie that depict this type of behavior from a pro-police perspective. The writer explains that 'Serpico' is based on a true story of a New York policeman newly graduated from the police academy who discovers dishonesty throughout the police department. The writer discusses that this movie tells about Frank Serpico dealing with crooked police officers in the early 1970s in New York City. The writer believes that this movie is very accurate of what was going on during that time when many police officers lost their jobs and were even prosecuted.

From the Paper:

"Serpico gets transferred to another precinct in Manhattan where he finds out that they are also taking money. Serpico and his new partner tell the Chief what is going on but the Chief wants to protect Commissioner Delaney. Serpico realizes that no one is going to do anything about corrupt police departments and decides to go to The New York Times. The mayor appoints an investigation commission of a five man committee headed by Whitman Knapp to review the city procedures for investigating police corruption.
"Serpico gets transferred to the narcotics division. He is on a stakeout with other officers and gets shot in the face. None of the other officers come to his aid but he does survive. Serpico appears at the Knapp commission and testifies about the police corruption."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dantzker, M.L. (2003). Understanding Today's Police (3rd edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
• Lumet, S. (Director). (1973). Serpico [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures.

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