Frank Serpico

Who He Is: 

Frank Serpico was a New York City police officer in the 1960s and 1970s who became famous for exposing widespread corruption within the NYPD. Despite danger to his career and even his life, he testified about misconduct and pushed for reforms that helped build stronger oversight of police departments.

 

Why He Matters: 

Serpico showed that integrity and honesty are essential parts of being an officer. He proved that protecting a community also means ensuring fairness inside the police force itself. His story is a powerful reminder that courage can mean standing up for what is right, even against formidable odds.