Black Cop: The Real Deal is the story of how Richard Lewis, a young man from the housing projects of New York City, went on to become Detective Richard Lewis, the most highly decorated police officer in the history of New York Police Department. In this book, he shares many hair-raising experiences from his life on the streets that rival and even surpass television and movie versions of cop stories. But this book shares even more. In his book, Richard Lewis breaks the unwritten code of silence and speaks out against the racism that exists in America within police departments. He relates how he and other black police officers were repeatedly denied promotions and even treated like criminals themselves by some white cops.

According to one reader of Black Cop: The Real Deal, “Richard tells it like it is. I had the privilege to work with/around Richard for many years. He was/is a great "COP". There are many things that he left out, probability because it would scare many readers if they knew just how biased the department REALLY IS. Great reading, eye opening and insightful. God bless you Richard for sharing your life with us.”

Black Cop: The Real Deal the True Story of New York Citys Most Decorated Cop Richard Lewis  More Info

About the New York Police Department (NYPD):

The first law-enforcement officer began to patrol the trails and paths of New York City when it was known as New Amsterdam, and was a Dutch settlement and fort in the year 1625. This lawman was known as a "Schout – fiscal" (sheriff – attorney) and was charged with keeping the peace, settling minor disputes, and warning colonists if fires broke out at night. The first Schout was a man named Johann Lampo.

The Rattle Watch was a group of colonists during the Dutch era (1609 - 1664) who patrolled from sunset until dawn. They carried weapons, lanterns and wooden rattles (that are similar to the ratchet noisemakers used during New Year celebrations). The rattles made a very loud, distinctive sound and were used to warn farmers and colonists of threatening situations. Upon hearing this sound, the colonists would rally to defend themselves or form bucket-brigades to put out fires. The rattles were used because whistles had not yet been invented. The Rattle Watchmen also are believed to have carried lanterns that had green glass inserts. This was to help identify them while they were on patrol at night (as there were no streetlights at that time). When they returned to their Watch House from patrol, they hung their lantern on a hook by the front door to show that the Watchman was present in the Watch House. Today, green lights are still hung outside the entrances of Police Precincts as a symbol that the "Watch" is present and vigilant.

When the High Constable of New York City, Jacob Hays retired from service in 1844, permission was granted by the Governor of the state to the Mayor of the City to create a Police Department. A force of approximately 800 men under the first Chief of Police, George W. Matsell, began to patrol the City in July of 1845. They wore badges that had an eight-pointed star (representing the first 8 paid members of the old Watch during Dutch times). The badges had the seal of the City in their center and were made of stamped copper.

Source:

nycpolicemuseum.org

/html/faq.html#begin