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“One Tough Cop: The Bo Dietl Story,” which has been made into a major motion picture,
explores Richard “Bo” Dietl's 16 years in the New York Police Department. During his career
he made more than 1,500 arrests and became one of the most highly decorated detectives in the history of NYPD. He received
80 awards and commendations for bravery alone. After retiring from the police department, he found an international security
company, Beau Dietl Associates.
About the New
York Police Department 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
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On reader of One Tough
Cop remarked, “At best, Bo is the funniest cop since Stallone in Cobra. At worst, he demeans our profession
by painting us as loutish brutes who shrink at the sight of his midget ass. Bo Dietl is no representative of policemen. He
is an embarrassment. We actually aren't scared of bad guys, we love our families, and when we take the Job we tend to
relinquish our ties to ORGANIZED CRIME. Bo has done nothing that every other cop who wears the badge hasn't done before,
He only loves telling you about it, be it fiction or fantasy. The latter mostly. But, If you want to laugh harder than you
have in your life, read this idiot's autobiography, it will kill you”
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