Once a Cop

The Street, the Law, Two Worlds, One Man

By: Corey Pegues

Narrated by: Corey Pegues

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

New Jack City meets Serpico in this provocative memoir of a crack dealer-turned-decorated NYPD officer - a timely reflection on the complex relationship between the police and the communities they are meant to protect.

"A rollicking, no-holds-barred account of life on the streets, seen from both sides." (Booklist)

During the 1980s, crack cocaine devastated many of America's inner-city communities. Drug dealers seized neighborhoods, terrorizing inhabitants with brutal violence. Aunts and uncles, next-door neighbors, and best friends became addicts. No longer were playgrounds and parks a safe haven for kids; the sound of bouncing basketballs by day was replaced by the pop of gunshots by night. Those who lived through the nightmare tell unimaginable stories of that era. Once a Cop is one of the most extraordinary.

Raised in Queens, New York, as a teen, Corey Pegues watched drugs uproot his stable, working-class neighborhood almost overnight. When times got tough, he had a choice: continue to watch his family struggle to buy food, to pay bills; or sell dope. He chose the latter, eventually becoming part of the notorious Supreme Team street gang. After a botched murder attempt on a rival gang member, Corey knew he had to get out. Barely 18, with two kids by two different women, Corey left under cover of night to enlist in the US Army. After several years in the military, he set his sights on becoming a New York City cop and breezed through the police academy.

In this provocative memoir, Corey Pegues tells how a onetime crack dealer became one the highest ranking members of the largest police force in the country, living and working in the nation's most violent neighborhoods. His meteoric rise from patrol officer to deputy inspector covers the administrations of former New York City mayors Rudy Giulliani and Michael Bloomberg, and coincides with the early tenures of famed police commissioners Ray Kelly and William "Bill" Bratton. Corey grants listeners full access to the manner in which some of the NYPD's most controversial policies were implemented; and an insider's take on the shootings of Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo, the assault on Abner Louima, and other tragedies that stained the department.

As tensions continue to mount between police and communities of color, Corey tears down the blue wall to discuss the discriminatory practices he faced within the NYPD and talks candidly about the distrust that exists between law enforcement and the citizens they are sworn to protect. Corey contends that his life on the streets informed his approach to police work, and shows how it made him a more conscientious and compassionate officer. There aren't many people who understand both sides of the story. Corey doesn't hate the police. He loves the badge. And he believes it's his duty to challenge the culture of racism, silence, and arrogance in the NYPD and police departments across the country.

©2016 Corey Pegues (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Inspirational!!!!!!

Finished the audiobook in five sections. A very inspirational and motivational story. One time for Queens.

An Authentic American Story

First: Thank you Deputy Inspector Pegues for your honorable service, your leadership, and your transparency in sharing your story.

This is a great listen for anyone interested in hearing about the NYPD and policing in a large city and department, and the ways African Americans have to navigate the racism that is deeply entrenched in the hearts and minds of the people who work in police departments. AND how racism is both the racist epithets used by also the willful neglect of Black people and communities despite which side of the law they are on.

DI Peguese's story from his youth is literally a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" story, and while it may seem appropriate to judge him for his youthful indiscretions, he did -- as does does everyone-- deserve a second chance, and we are all the better for it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is one that i will listen to again because he also stops a lot of gems for navigating the leadership structure of police departments. So if you're at all interested in a career in law enforcement, this book is a good example for how to remain true to yourself and true to the job.

Sir, I salute you.

Informative

Great dropping of knowledge on how office politics can shape entire communities for the good or the bad

Excellent!

Absolutely EXCELLENT story! Keep your head up black man! Prayers up for you and your family... I hope you clean house and make them ALL pay!

Great!

Should be a book for new cadets with a quiz and POST cert required. Great lessons.

Very good read a book that you can relate to

It’s sad to see racism is still at an all-time high in 2022 Very good read a book that you can relate to

We Need More Cops Like Corey

There is some really compelling stuff in Corey Pegues’s biography. His start as a street hustler. Running with a major drug gang. His eventual lifestyle change and then becoming a highly decorated New York Police officer. My only major problem is not really with the book, it’s with the presentation. Corey, my man, I wish you could have got some decent editing for your memoir. You did a lot of amazing things. I just felt that some of the story was cheapened because there were some poor segue ways from one point to the next.

One in a Million!!

This is a wonderful story that should encourage the young people who are struggling to find their way and a testimony to all Black People, that We can rise above any situation, if We put in the work! Thank you Mr. Peguese for standing up for what was right. I wish you would have had more support. Just know that your labor was not in vain and your service to your community, will be your family's forever legacy. Blessings 🙏 🙏

Necessary story to be told

I enjoyed listening to this story because it shows a man who is open and honest about his past and feelings on everything leading up to his retirement as a police officer. I only hope this story is shared and told to as many people who strive to be leaders in whatever career they choose to fulfill.

While this story is still somewhat sad and disappointing, it gives me hope for the future of policing and prison reform.

Thank you Officer Pegues.....

Top Cop. Truly New York’s Finest. Making the difference.

Being a former Boss in Law-Enforcement, I can relate to Captain Pegues’s story. I thought the book was excellent, realistic, honest and accurate. I’ve dealt with most of people he mentioned in the NYPD In my career before I retired. I think all people in law-enforcement should be interested in reading this book. At some point maybe it would have an impact on the POLICE OFFICERS and the NYPD The greatest Police Department in the world. After reading this book maybe law-enforcement should revisit with the author and his programs he initiated while he was commanding officer in the NYPD that proved to be Effective at the time. Maybe reinstate them again to better serve the community and the New York City Police Department. It would save a lot of lives and make the relationship with the community and the police in this great city a better place to live. To all police officers be safe and thank you for your service.
Retired Chief. SIU:NYHP