Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD Episode 4: They've Got Weapons Release Date: September 23, 2024

Chenjerai Kumanyika, the Peabody Award-winning host of Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD, delves deep into the transformation of the New York Police Department from its tumultuous beginnings to its current state as a highly militarized force. This episode, titled "They’ve Got Weapons," intertwines personal narratives with historical accounts to explore the forces that shaped the NYPD's identity and tactics.

Personal Encounter with Police Violence

The episode opens with Kumanyika sharing a poignant personal experience that underscores the evolution of the NYPD:

Chenjerai Kumanyika [00:00]: "When the NYPD showed up that night, what I felt was the opposite of safety. It felt like a naked, savage drive, spectacular and military had been unleashed on us, and it had nothing to do with protecting us and everything to do with violent disciplinary power."

This moment serves as a catalyst for exploring the historical roots of the NYPD's aggressive policing methods.

Origins of the NYPD and Early Conflicts

Kumanyika traces the NYPD's origins to a period marked by internal police violence and gang rivalries:

Narration: "After New York's two police forces beat the shit out of each other on the steps of City Hall, the Metropolitan Police take over as the official NYPD. Partially because of the riot, a lot of folks view this new police as another uniformed gang with nightsticks."

The early NYPD faced immediate challenges, especially in patrolling immigrant communities loyal to influential political figures like Fernando Wood and Tammany Hall. Tensions escalated swiftly, culminating in brutal confrontations during the Civil War era.

The 1863 Draft Riots: A Turning Point

A significant portion of the episode examines the July 1863 Draft Riots, one of the largest and deadliest urban uprisings in American history. Historian Ed O'Donnell provides critical insights:

Ed O'Donnell [09:18]: "Worst nightmare is the liberation of the black man."

The riots were fueled by multiple factors, including economic distress, fear of job loss due to emancipation, and racial tensions. The initial protests against the draft quickly devolved into violent attacks against Black New Yorkers, revealing the deep-seated racism and volatility within the city.

Key Events:

• Early Signs [14:07]: Kamau Ware, a black historian, guides Kumanyika through the massacre's locales, highlighting how the destruction of Seneca Village six years prior set a metaphorical stage for the mob's aggression.
• Mobilization of the Mob [15:02]: The crowd's access to weapons, such as when they sacked the armory, transformed the protest into a deadly rampage.
• Targeting Black Institutions [20:14]: The mob's attack on the Colored Orphan Asylum, described by historian Ed O'Donnell, illustrates the racial terror unleashed during the riots.

Notable Quotes:

Kamau Ware [13:17]: "So where we're standing right here is where things flipped."

Henry Highland Garnett [24:18]: "Let your motto be resistance, resistance, resistance, resistance."

These quotes emphasize the pivotal moments and the radical responses from both the rioters and Black community leaders.

Aftermath and Police Evolution

Following the draft riots, Superintendent John Kennedy and figures like Captain George Washington Walling navigated the chaos, often with limited success:

Chenjerai Kumanyika [16:42]: "Someone stole the police superintendent."

The inability of the NYPD to effectively manage the riots led to increased calls for a more robust and militarized police force. Historian Daniel Citrom highlights the socio-economic conditions exacerbating public unrest, such as widespread poverty and lack of social safety nets.

Key Developments:

• Formation of the Mounted Police Brigade [40:36]: Under Commissioner Abram Duryea, the NYPD began to adopt more militaristic strategies, equipping officers with batons and forming specialized units to control large crowds.
• Tompkins Square Park Riot [38:46]: The 1874 clash between labor activists and the heavily armed police showcased the NYPD's transformation into a tool for suppressing working-class dissent.

Notable Quotes:

Ed O'Donnell [32:51]: "It's a golden opportunity for the police department of New York City to kind of rebrand themselves to New York and to the nation as this great force that will protect the populace from two dangerous classes."

This period solidified the NYPD's role as an enforcer of order, often aligned with elite interests against marginalized and working-class groups.

Community Resistance and Police Opposition

Despite the NYPD's growing militarization, community resistance persisted. Figures like Reverend Henry Highland Garnett emerged as symbols of Black resilience:

Chenjerai Kumanyika [24:54]: "They were looking for certain leaders, churches, facilities affiliated with black people."

Garnett's firsthand account of witnessing lynchings and the subsequent community defenses—armed self-protection measures—highlighted the desperate need for community solidarity in the face of police inaction or complicity.

Legacy and Contemporary Reflections

The episode culminates with Kumanyika reflecting on the historical continuity of policing in New York and its impact on present-day perceptions:

Chenjerai Kumanyika [43:53]: "Earlier that week, when we thought she wasn't paying attention, Enyola saw us watching a video on my phone of police grabbing and handcuffing protesters."

The narrative bridges past and present, illustrating how the NYPD's historical roots in violence and suppression inform current societal debates on policing. Kumanyika's conversation with his young daughter Enyola symbolizes the generational fears and the ongoing struggle to redefine safety and protection.

Conclusion: The Paradox of Protection

Kumanyika grapples with the duality of protecting loved ones while acknowledging the systemic issues within policing:

Chenjerai Kumanyika [43:55]: "Enyola: You just had something scary on it, and I didn't like it."

This paradox underscores the episode's central theme: the tension between the intended role of the police as protectors and their historical deployment as instruments of control and violence. The episode leaves listeners contemplating the true nature of protection and the complexities of policing in a society grappling with its past and present.

Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD offers a compelling exploration of the NYPD's evolution, blending personal narratives with meticulous historical research. Episode 4, "They’ve Got Weapons," vividly captures the tumultuous events that shaped modern policing in New York City, highlighting the enduring impact of these origins on contemporary society.