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Derrick Parker was an undercover narcotics and homicide detective with the
New York Police Department. Over time, he became NYPD’s go-to-guy for investigating
hip-hop related crimes. As he collected more and more information about hip-hop
artists, his information became intelligence on rap stars and crime related to that industry.
You can read about his career in his book, Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master
Jay Investigations from the NYPD's First "Hip-Hop Cop."
Publisher’s Weekly said of Notorious
C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay Investigations from NYPD's First Hip-Hop Cop,
“Parker's career with the New York Police Department from 1982 to 2002 paralleled the rise of hip-hop music and
related crimes, and as a member of a "specialized, clandestine 'Rap Intel' squad" within the NYPD's
elite Gang Intelligence Division, Parker investigated firsthand almost all the most famous hip-hop–related shoot-outs.
This wealth of experience makes his book (the title is a play on hip-hop artist Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls)
a powerful and fascinating—if often repetitive—account of what Parker calls "the truth about the rap music
industry" as well as "the mechanisms within the NYPD and how law enforcement deals with hip-hop from the inside."
He is not afraid to name the people he thinks were responsible for the still unsolved murders of Tupac Shakur, Smalls and
Jam Master Jay of the rap group Run-DMC, and he also provides new details of crimes involving Puff Daddy, Jennifer Lopez,
50 Cent and Lil' Kim. Parker proves his assertion that there is a "seemingly insurmountable divide between the NYPD
and the hip-hop world," but his accusations alone should ensure the book a large reception within the worldwide audience
for rap music.”
According to one reader of Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the
Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay Investigations from NYPD's First Hip-Hop Cop, “Parker is a true
character, and he and Diehl really make this book into a conversation between him and me (or you, when you read it). I appreciate
the attention lavished on the old-school (Jay bookends the story) and the explanation of the continental divide that started
in the 90s. Parker
really cares about the material -- both sides: the industry and the NYPD. Shocking (but in a good way) to hear such praise
lavished on Bernie Karik. Meantime, the pacing, the stories, the characters all make this a (sorry to use
the cliche) page-turner. Can't wait until it's on the big or little screen (CSI: Adidas). Two
reasons I don't give it five stars: sad copy editing and underwhelming photos. Page-turners suffer when every page has
at least one and often two no-excuse, let-me-read-that-again grammatical errors. And Parker, considering the interesting cops
and music artists he's run with, ought to have a better array of photographs to complement the narrative. They'll
fix this up for the second edition and get that fifth star.”
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From the
History of the New York Police Department We have not arrived at the troublous period of the Revolution, when the military officers
usurped the functions of government, and the citizens lay at the mercy of an unscrupulous soldiery. Everything was then done
in compliance with orders from the commanders of the British troops, and the interests of the King were the foremost consideration.
The defeat of the Patriot army in the
Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776, led to the occupation of the city by the British a fortnight later. Very shortly
after, the whole western side of the city from Bowling Green to the present line of Vesey Street was swept by fire, Trinity
Church being among the edifices destroyed. Immediately after this disaster, Mayor-General James Robertson, one of the British
commanders, issued the proclamation of which the following is a literal copy:
"Whereas, it is thought expedient,
in order to give the necessary Assistance tot he Commandant of the City, that a Superintendent-General of the Police should
be appointed: I do hereby appoint Andrew Elliot, Esq., Superintendent-General of the Police of the city of New York, and its
Dependencies, with powers and Authorities to issue such orders and Regulations from Time to Time as may most effectually tend
to the Suppression of Vice and Licentiousness; the Support of the Poor; the Direction of the nightly Watch; the Regulation
of Markets and Ferries; and all other Matters, in which the Economy, Peace, and good Order of the City of New York, and its
Environs are concerned. The Superintendent-General will be assisted in the Administration of the Police by David Matthews,
Esq., Mayor of this City; and I so hereby enjoin and require all persons whatever, to pay due obedience to the Superintendent-General,
the Mayor, and all others acting in authority under them, in the Execution of their Duty; and all Military officers commanding
Guards, to assist them when it shall be found necessary."
Source: Our Police Protectors Holice and Debbie
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