Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

Episode: The Rotten Orchard | 6
Release Date: October 7, 2024
Host: Chenjerai Kumanyika
Produced By: Wondery | Crooked Media

Introduction: Unveiling the Hidden History

In the sixth episode of Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD, host Chenjerai Kumanyika delves deep into the murky origins of New York City's police force. This episode, titled "The Rotten Orchard," explores the first major investigation into NYPD corruption and its lasting impact on policing accountability.

The Police Museum and Carol Safer

Kumanyika begins by recounting a pivotal conversation with Carol Safer, the wife of former NYPD Commissioner Howard Safer and head of the New York City Police Museum’s board of trustees.

[00:15] Chenjerai Kumanyika: "As I was working to grapple with everything I've learned about the NYPD, I got a phone call. It was from a woman named Carol Safer..."

[01:38] Carol Safer: "I would like everyone in New York to know they shouldn't be fearing the police. They should be revering the police for the job they do."

Safer emphasizes the museum's role in portraying the NYPD positively, deliberately excluding narratives of violence and corruption. Kumanyika challenges this perspective, highlighting the systemic issues that the museum overlooks.

Reverend Charles Henry Parkhurst: The Catalyst

The episode shifts to a historical moment in 1892 when Reverend Charles Henry Parkhurst ignited public outcry against the NYPD.

[07:16] Podcast Producer: "He's basically a mainline Presbyterian preacher."

Parkhurst delivered a thunderous sermon condemning the NYPD, accusing them of being "a lying, perjured, rum-soaked and libidinous lot" who were complicit with the city's criminal elements.

[07:46] Chenjerai Kumanyika: "Parkhurst stands up in front of a packed house and delivers a sermon like no one in New York had ever seen."

Parkhurst's bold accusations marked the first time organized crime was explicitly linked to the police, setting the stage for a significant investigation.

Formation and Work of the Lexow Committee

In response to Parkhurst's denunciations, the Lexow Committee was formed in March 1894 to investigate NYPD corruption.

[13:23] Chenjerai Kumanyika: "There'd been three smaller investigations into the NYPD in the previous 20 years, but each one had devolved into an empty partisan exercise."

Initially perceived as ineffective, the committee found new momentum with the introduction of John Goff, a determined lawyer who revitalized the investigation.

Key Testimonies and Witness Accounts

Goff's aggressive prosecution style brought forth critical testimonies from various individuals affected by NYPD corruption.

[15:09] Chenjerai Kumanyika: "Goff tries something that no one had ever done in a police investigation like this."

Witnesses, including brothel owners and other business operators, detailed extensive bribery and extortion by the police. One particularly harrowing account came from Kayla Erchertel, a widow who resisted police extortion.

[18:16] Witness: "She saved money, and she wants to start a cigar store. And so she does this. And the week it opens, a cop on the beat walks in and says, you need to pay me X dollars again. It's essentially a protection racket."

Erchertel's story highlighted the personal toll of police corruption, leading to her being unjustly separated from her children due to fabricated charges.

The Struggle for Accountability

As the Lexow Committee proceedings progressed, the testimony began to reveal the depth of NYPD corruption. Reporter Augustine Costello, initially a proponent of the police, turned against them after being assaulted by Officer Clubber Williams.

[21:14] Witness: "In the 1880s, he had written a book called Our Police Protectors, which is almost unreadable."

Costello's revelations, along with the defection of Sergeant Max Schmidt Berger, who provided crucial insider information, underscored the systemic nature of the corruption.

[24:55] Witness: "Schmidtberger worked for Captain Alexander Clubber Williams in the Tenderloin, and he admitted before Lexow to taking bribes from all kinds of people."

These testimonies painted a picture of a police department deeply entrenched in criminal activities, perpetuating corruption at all levels.

Confronting the Rotten Orchard: Final Hearings

The climax of the investigation came with the appearance of Inspector Clubber Williams and Police Superintendent Thomas Burns. Despite overwhelming evidence, both maintained their innocence.

[29:34] Witness: "Now, sir, it has been sworn to hear that the department has rotten to the."

[29:44] Witness: "It has been sworn to here by a cloud of witnesses whose testimony has been corroborated that corruption has run riot in every branch of the department. Is that true?"

[29:56] Chenjerai Kumanyika: "It is not. He's not giving Goff an inch."

Williams and Burns's steadfast denials exposed the "blue wall of silence," revealing the immense challenges in holding police accountable.

Aftermath and Historical Impact

Despite the extensive hearings, the Lexow Committee's final report made only minor recommendations. High-ranking officials like Burns and Williams retired with full pensions, evading serious consequences.

[32:35] Bill Williams: "I think he realized that his father was not a legitimate man."

The episode draws parallels to subsequent investigations, such as the 1992 Malin Commission, highlighting a persistent cycle of uncovering police corruption without meaningful reform.

Legacy and Contemporary Reflections

Kumanyika reflects on the enduring legacy of these early investigations, noting that systemic corruption within the NYPD remains a significant issue.

[36:12] Leslie Kornfeld: "Police corruption in the New York City Police Department seemed to evolve in cycles. 20 year, 25, sometimes 30 year cycles."

He underscores the emotional and societal impacts of ongoing police misconduct, citing recent high-profile cases that continue to erode public trust.

[37:50] Chenjerai Kumanyika: "When we turn our heads, we actually contribute to the cycle. There's one stage where police do the violence, and then there's another level of violence when we just bury the story."

Kumanyika's impassioned conclusion serves as a call to action, urging society to confront and address the deep-seated issues within policing to prevent further injustice.

Conclusion

"The Rotten Orchard" episode of Empire City meticulously unravels the historical and persistent challenges of police corruption in New York City. Through compelling narratives and firsthand accounts, Kumanyika highlights the complexities of accountability and the urgent need for systemic change in policing practices.

Notable Quotes:

• Carol Safer [02:04]: "The police are not out there to intimidate people. They're there to help people."
• Reverend Parkhurst [07:20]: "In its municipal life, our city is thoroughly rotten."
• Kayla Erchertel [18:16]: "It's essentially a protection racket."
• Inspector Clubber Williams [29:56]: "It is not."

Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD offers a profound examination of the historical roots of policing in New York City, encouraging listeners to reflect on the present and advocate for a just and accountable law enforcement system.