Once a Cop
The Street, the Law, Two Worlds, One Man
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4.5 • 36 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
New York City Book Awards Hornblower Award Winner
African American Literary Award Winner for Best Biography/Memoir
As a youth, Corey Pegues was a criminal. As an adult, he became a high-ranking police officer.
In this fascinating look at life on both sides of the law, Corey Pegues opens up about why he joined the New York Police Department after years as a drug dealer. Pegues speaks honestly about the poor choices he made while coming of age in New York City during the height of the crack epidemic. He’s equally candid about why he turned his life around, and takes you inside the NYPD, where he becomes a decorated officer despite bureaucratic pitfalls and discriminatory practices. Written with the voice and panache of someone who knows the streets, Once a Cop is a credible and informative look at the forces that lead some into a life of crime and what it means to make good on a second chance.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this gripping memoir, former street dealer and retired N.Y.C. police inspector Corey Pegues documents a life on both sides of the law. As a teenager from an impoverished home in Queens, Pegues fell into the drug game just as crack cocaine flooded the marketplace in the mid-1980s. Working for the infamous "Supreme Team" brought Pegues money and prestige, but he was dismayed by the growing violence around him. Soon after graduating high school, Pegues escaped to the army and later joined the NYPD. Pegues faced prejudice for being African-American in a predominantly white organization, but still rose to the rank of deputy inspector despite concerns about his "urban" attire and outspoken positions. The book falls into two sections: Pegues narrates his criminal days in intimate close-up, while taking a more distanced perspective on his years as a cop. Although Pegues remains loyal to the badge, he criticizes the department's old boy network and conflicts with minority neighborhoods, including the excesses of programs such as "Stop, Question, and Frisk." In 2015, Pegues's disclosure of his criminal past ignited controversy and led to a police raid of his Long Island home, a backlash that highlights just how far the NYPD remains from serving all New Yorkers.
Customer Reviews
Great Read!
It took a lot of courage to write about his journey. Well done Corey! I wish the best for you and your family.
Wow
Amazing book and would really making an even better movie. What an unusual uncanny plot, but oh so addicting to read.
Awesome book
If I can can give this book more than 5 stars I'll give it 10. Many people from urban communities can relate to the content of this book. Just because people were raised in a certain environment does not mean that's their way of life forever, it's what they know. In reality they are really looking for success due to people not providing opportunities. People learn from their mistakes and become better people. Also if you were raised in the hood and made out to be a successful individual: education, great career, you "Won" and you can survive in any situation thrown at you. Never feel bad for the way you came up. Learn from it and move forward. Thanks Corey this should show people how you can still become a success coming out the hood. Minus the haters and people that don't want you to succeed.