What It's Like To...

What It's Like to Be a Member of the NYPD


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Movies and TV shows often take us behind the scenes of the New York Police Department--but the truth is often stranger than fiction.  Vic Ferrari spent 20 memorable years as a member of the NYPD, most of them as a detective.  In this episode, he shares stories from his many hours on the job, and on the streets:  targeting car thieves; sitting overnight with a just-deceased man; working at Ground Zero on 9/11; and lots of crazy anecdotes too (like how he almost got his gun belt stolen from a bathroom stall).  Learn about what goes on during the different shifts--and which one is known for "big game hunting"--and why, despite everything, Vic doesn't consider himself "brave."

In this episode:

  • Vic's interest in police work began at a young age (02:04)
  • Inside the Police Academy (02:55)
  • Qualities you need to be a good police officer (06:36)
  • Why you can't play your day (or your week) in the NYPD (09:01)
  • How you get yourself to repeatedly go into dangerous situations (13:11)
  • One example of "I can't believe this was my work day today"(17:17)
  • Day shift vs. 4:00-midnight shift vs. overnight shift (21:09)
  • Why a sense of humor is essential in law enforcement (23:32)
  • Working in the auto theft division of the NYPD (28:31)
  • Being in the NYPD on 9/11 (31:41)


Want to know more about Vic?

  • Find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicferrarinypd/
  • Follow him on X:  @VicFerrari50 
  • Check out his books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01IIQXLBC


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What It's Like To...By Elizabeth Pearson Garr