Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

Episode 7: The American Problem

Release Date: October 14, 2024
Host: Chenjerai Kumanyika
Produced by: Wondery | Crooked Media | PushBlack

Introduction

In Episode 7: "The American Problem" of Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD, Chenjerai Kumanyika delves deep into the historical roots and evolution of the New York Police Department (NYPD). This episode explores the NYPD's origins in colonialism, its strategic recruitment of ethnic police forces, and the enduring impact of these practices on modern policing in New York City. Through personal narratives and historical analysis, Kumanyika sheds light on the systemic issues that continue to shape the relationship between the NYPD and immigrant communities.

Personal Narratives: Asad Dandia's Experience

The episode opens with the harrowing story of Asad Dandia, a young Muslim man from Brooklyn who becomes entangled in the NYPD's surveillance practices.

• Initial Encounter (00:00 - 02:02): Chenjerai Kumanyika recounts how Asad, while waiting at his local mosque, is approached by an off-duty cop and fellow Muslim, who warns him that he is being watched by the police (Asad Dandia, [01:08]: "I was terrified. I was legitimately scared."). This revelation leaves Asad fearful and isolated, unsure of who to trust or turn to for help.

• Building Community and Betrayal (02:02 - 05:45): Asad narrates his efforts to build a supportive community through a mutual aid organization, Muslims Giving Back. A key figure in his story is Shamir Rahman, a fellow Muslim who becomes a close friend. However, six months into their friendship, Shamir publicly confesses on Facebook that he was an NYPD informant tasked with surveilling Muslims ([05:06]: "I was just pretending to be friends with you."). This betrayal not only devastates Asad but also exposes the broader strategy of infiltrating and monitoring Muslim communities.

Historical Context: NYPD's Colonial Strategies

Kumanyika shifts the focus to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, examining how the NYPD adopted colonial tactics from American military operations abroad.

• Immigration and Policing in the 1890s (07:00 - 10:59): The episode highlights a New York Times article from the 1890s that conflates immigrants with crime, labeling Italians, Chinese, and other ethnic groups as threats. Historian Matt Garriglia explains how the NYPD struggled to diversify alongside a rapidly changing, multicultural city ([08:25]: "You have a city that in the span of, you know, 50 or so years went from being 80% English speaking to 40% native English speaking."). This fear led to the targeting and suppression of immigrant communities, often justifying aggressive policing under the guise of maintaining order.

• Colonial Influence from the Philippines (13:19 - 19:31): Lee Kumanyika explores the influence of Francis Vinton Green, a future NYPD Police Commissioner who applied lessons from his military service in the Philippines to policing in New York City. The creation of the Philippine Constabulary, a police force designed to maintain colonial control, served as a model for the NYPD's ethnic squads, such as the Italian and Chinese units. Historian Albert Samaha provides insight into how these forces were used not to protect communities but to surveil and suppress them ([16:19]: "The Filipinos are not capable of governing themselves. They are unfit.").

Formation of Ethnic Squads and Their Impact

• Italian Squad and Joseph Petrosino (24:30 - 27:07): The episode details the formation of the Italian Squad, led by Joseph Petrosino, an Italian American who became a legendary NYPD officer. Despite initial resistance due to his ethnicity, Petrosino's unique ability to navigate Italian neighborhoods allowed him to solve high-profile cases, such as the brutal murder discovered on East 11th Street ([25:57]: "Joseph Petrosino is the Sherlock Holmes of Italy."). His success led to the expansion of ethnic squads, including the first Chinese and German-speaking officers, further entrenching the NYPD's strategy of using ethnic insiders to police their own communities.

• Marginalization of Black Officers (28:42 - 29:28): Contrary to the inclusion of European ethnicities, black New Yorkers remained largely excluded from these specialized police units. Kumanyika highlights the persistent racial biases within the NYPD, where black individuals were stereotyped and criminalized without the same opportunities for integration or protection as their immigrant counterparts ([28:51]: "Black cops, people say, like, literally, the Italians have officers, the Russians have their officers, the Jews have their officers. Where is the black officer?").

Modern Parallels and Continued Surveillance

• Post-9/11 Surveillance (32:32 - 34:53): The narrative transitions to contemporary times, illustrating how the NYPD's historical strategies have evolved but persist in new forms. After the events of September 11, the NYPD established the Demographics Unit, a secret surveillance program targeting Muslim communities. Led by a CIA agent trained in Israeli military surveillance techniques, this unit aimed to monitor and control Muslim populations in New York ([32:32]: "NYPD Headquarters is a 15-story red brick cube...").

• Legal Battles and Victories (34:13 - 34:53): Asad Dandia becomes an organizer and leads legal challenges against unconstitutional surveillance practices. His efforts, along with those of other activists, culminate in the disbanding of the Demographics Unit, marking a significant victory for civil liberties ([34:28]: "It took me a long time to realize that New York does not just belong to those guys here, it belongs to us too.").

Conclusion: The Legacy of Colonial Policing

Chenjerai Kumanyika reflects on the enduring legacy of the NYPD's colonial origins and its implications for today's policing. The episode underscores how strategies developed during the colonization of the Philippines have been adapted to manage diverse populations in New York City, perpetuating a cycle of surveillance and control rather than protection and community-building.

• Personal Reflections (35:15 - 36:23): Kumanyika shares a personal connection, discussing her father's experiences with police surveillance and the broader implications for what it means to call New York home. Asad Dandia expresses a sense of betrayal by an institution meant to protect him, highlighting the deep-rooted distrust between the community and the NYPD ([35:55]: "The institution that dedicated its existence to protect me had betrayed me.").

• Closing Thoughts: The episode closes by questioning the true purpose of policing in a city as diverse and dynamic as New York. Kumanyika challenges listeners to consider whether the NYPD's methods truly serve the community or continue a legacy of control and suppression rooted in colonialism.

Notable Quotes

• Asad Dandia ([01:08]): "I was terrified. I was legitimately scared."
• Asad Dandia ([05:06]): "I was just pretending to be friends with you."
• Matt Garriglia ([08:25]): "You have a city that in the span of, you know, 50 or so years went from being 80% English speaking to 40% native English speaking."
• Albert Samaha ([16:19]): "The Filipinos are not capable of governing themselves. They are unfit."
• Asad Dandia ([34:28]): "It took me a long time to realize that New York does not just belong to those guys here, it belongs to us too."
• Chenjerai Kumanyika ([35:55]): "The institution that dedicated its existence to protect me had betrayed me."

Key Takeaways

• Colonial Origins of Policing: The NYPD's strategies were heavily influenced by colonial policing methods, particularly those developed during the American occupation of the Philippines.

• Ethnic Policing Squads: The formation of ethnic squads like the Italian and Chinese units allowed the NYPD to infiltrate and surveil immigrant communities under the pretense of protection.

• Systemic Racism: Despite diversifying squads for European ethnicities, black New Yorkers remained marginalized and criminalized within the NYPD framework.

• Continuing Surveillance Practices: Modern policing tactics, especially post-9/11, continue to reflect colonial surveillance strategies, targeting Muslim communities and perpetuating distrust.

• Community Betrayal: Personal stories, such as that of Asad Dandia, illustrate the profound sense of betrayal felt by communities surveilled and betrayed by the very institutions meant to protect them.

Final Reflections

Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD serves as a poignant examination of how historical practices shape contemporary policing. Through compelling narratives and meticulous research, Episode 7 exposes the deep-seated issues within the NYPD's foundation, urging listeners to reconsider the true meaning of safety and protection in a diverse metropolis like New York City.

Follow Empire City on the Wondery App, Amazon Music, or your preferred podcast platform to continue uncovering the hidden histories that shape our present.