Once a Cop: My Journey from Former Crack Dealer to the Highest Ranks of the NYPD

by Corey Pegues, Greg Mathis (Foreword)

New Jack City meets Serpico in this provocative memoir of a crack dealer-turned-decorated NYPD officer—a timely reflection on the complex relationship between the police and the communities they are meant to protect.

Corey Pegues has lived on both sides of the law. At the height of the 1980s crack epidemic, he was a teenager hugging the street corner, selling dope for the notorious Supreme Team gang and watching drugs decimate his stable, working-class neighborhood almost overnight. After a botched murder attempt on a rival gang member, Corey, the only member of his family to graduate from high school, knew he had to get out. Barely eighteen, with two kids by two different women, Corey left under cover of night to enlist in the US Army. After several years in the military, the police academy was a breeze.

In this riveting memoir, Corey takes us into his rise from the rough streets of Queens through the ranks of the NYPD, living and working in the nation’s most violent neighborhoods. What is daily life truly like for urban youth in America? What is the one problem endemic in law enforcement that’s even more dangerous than rampant racism? There aren’t many people who understand both sides of the story the way Corey does.

As war rages throughout our nation between police and communities of color, Pegues tears down the blue wall to discuss the discriminatory practices he faced within the NYPD and talks candidly about the distrust between law enforcement and the people. Corey doesn’t hate the police. He loves the badge. And, he believes, it’s his duty to challenge the culture of racism, silence, and arrogance in the NYPD today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Police, Crime, Biography Memoir, True Crime, American, Memoir

320 pages, ebook

First published April 26, 2016

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the definition of two worlds; when Corey Pegues grows up on the streets of NY selling drugs, his life takes a dramatic turn when he's forced to decide what he wants out if it; a future in the world, or a future in prison? He takes us in depth between the world of drug selling, and what it takes to make it in the military, to the NYPD.

[Byron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pegues was a teen member of the infamous Supreme Team crack gang in the mid to late '80s and later joined the Army and the NYPD, two institutions arguably worse than the Supreme Team. A few years ago, after an appearance on the Combat Jack Show, the NYPD took away his guns and tried to strip him of his ridonkulously generous pension. The Combat episode is discussed in the book's epilogue.

It's weird to me that they'd give a shit that someone was a criminal before they became a cop, with the key word there being before. As Pegues points out in the book, he didn't lie on his application. To hear him tell it, he was one of the least crooked cops in the entire organization. He only kicked a handcuffed perp down a flight of stairs once!

The early parts, about his life growing up in the hood, are more detailed and more interesting than the later parts, about his time with the NYPD. The parts about broken windows, stop and frisk and what have you will be remedial to anyone who's read the paper in the past 20 years or so. But it's at least invaluable in that it confirms much of what you suspected about the police.

[Eugenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do hope Officer Pegues won his lawsuit.

[Michaela Kollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first five star book of 2025. It’s unusual to read the perspective of someone who was both a drug dealer in his teens and a cop for two decades after. It’s too bad that it’d be much harder for someone to turn their life around in a similar way today, as Pegues acknowledges. You could tell that Pegues’ time on the other side of the law gave him much more compassion for young people who’d gone down the wrong path because they couldn’t see any better options for themselves. At the same time, it was also clear that Pegues felt very proud of his decades in public service working for the NYPD. It’s a shame that we’re likely missing out on other potential dedicated public servants who won’t be given the opportunity to work towards redemption serve their communities because of bad decisions in their past.

I was amazed by how honest and forthright Pegues was, even when his honest opinions were controversial. His frank acknowledgment of the racism he faced within the NYPD and the politicization of crime and tough on crime policy was sure to offend the police, while his support of programs like COMPSTAT and his argument that NYC had been underpoliced in the 70s and 80s, making broken windows policing effective when it was first implemented, was sure to be unpopular with academics and many nonfiction readers.

It’s rare to read a memoir from someone who’s worked his way so far up the ranks of his given field yet is still willing to be so forthcoming. I feel like I came away from this book with a much stronger understanding of policing in general and the NYPD in particular after reading this.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping in mind that this is a "tell-all", from one person's perspective, I heartily endorse this book. I believe his accounts of street life and police life to be accurate from the little I have experienced and learned from other accounts. Initially, I was annoyed at his choice to narrate his own book but soon realized it was a vital part of understanding some of the obstacles he would have faced. Particularly, when it came to stereotyping.

I recommend this, particularly, for anyone with no personal understanding of what it means to live in the "hood". For those of us that grew up in protected environments, this feels like a foreign world. It's a world that I never tried, or cared, to understand until recently. I don't believe we can truly bridge gaps between the cultures until we have crossed this border and looked at another's lifestyle from the inside out.

I recommend this book for those that grew up in similar conditions: the projects/hood/ghetto/barrio,... It's good to have role models that made something of their lives. And it's good to know that their are people fighting for you, each and every day.

Pegues is stirring up the status quo. To a traditionalist, he might seem rebellious, or disrespectful. Yet, actions such as his are important for keeping our leaders accountable for their actions. We need more people like him, willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the community.

The audio book, kept my interest and was easy to follow while driving or otherwise distracted. There was only one particular aspect of this story on which I strongly disagreed, and yet, has caused me countless hours of reflection. Pegues claimed he couldn't leave his old life behind; his swagger, his friends, his accent, his style. My parents chose to leave their old lives completely behind to give their children to best opportunity for a better life. We were raised without the influence of our extended family. Was that the right decision? I'll never know. Regardless, we should have to right to retain our identities and be given equal opportunities. His book brings such controversial topics to the discussion table. They are important discussions to be had. I'm glad I "read" this one.

[Ronald Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in the boogie-down Bronx and running them streets I can relate to the author and all the activities of the typical neighborhood. Every street’s the same street to the reader. This superb manuscript keeps it real about the streets, the workplace, and law enforcement. The author fully acknowledges the poor choices he made growing up in the New York streets. His service to the country in the U.S. Army, the city as a NYPD officer and leader put him on a commendable path to self-redemption.

Along the way his street knowledge was likely the best knowledge he could ever get outside the four walls of a schoolhouse on his rise to the upper ranks of the largest police force in the world. “…The thing that makes a great cop is the ability to deal with people, to understand them and empathize with them in the heat of tense, difficult situations.”

He describes the challenges that are found inside the NYPD workplace and you will likely find them to be the same in most organizations in and outside of police work. Everything boils down to leadership and like he said, “Change can come from the bottom, but it tends to take a long, long time. When change comes from the top…things happen fast.”

The author talks about the dysfunctional, disrespectful, and disruptive work culture inside the NYPD, and paints a picture for outsiders why citizens catch hell on the New York streets if they get in the path of untrained cops in what he references as real “police work.”

Read this book to get familiar with Stop, Question, and Frisk, the various demographics and crime stats that make up many areas of the borough of Brooklyn. “Scratch my book,” Mayor Dinkins, Rudy Giuliani, Ray Kelly, the Dirty Thirty, TNT, public housing as ground zero, the meaning of “Theft of Service,” and so much more.

Corey breaks down the streets and the police in very short and comprehensive chapters. Check it out! Keep this reference in your professional development library for a handy reflection from the streets. It truly is an awakening from a cop’s perspective.

Great photos too!

[Fred Leland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The good and bad of policing laid out in this book. The story about a cop who comes from a tough background of the inner city to a police Officer who climbed the ranks of the NYPD to fall via the internal politics of policing. It's obvious Corey Pegues took his knowledge of urban city life and applied it his policing career and from the story written by him excelled at it. His career ended with an accident that left him disabled but the internal politics of policing has him now labeled a disgraced cop with his youthful affiliation with gangs and drug dealing and the lifestyle associated with it used against him. Hard to grasp how only after he ticked off the higher ranks did all this comeback to haunt him??? Understanding policing and its politics I would just say read the book and decide for yourself as how his story ends.

[Moe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit this book started a bit slow for me I felt like I'd heard this narrative before. But once the inner workings of the NYPD were laid bare I was enthralled. I can't honestly say that anything contained in this book shocked me but to have a first hand account of the callous disregard for the rights of people of color by those charged with the task of upholding the law is disheartening. I do however, have an enhanced appreciation for those in law enforcement who try to do the right thing sometimes to their own detriment. This is not poetic writing it's plain, frank, but ultimately powerful.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book by listening. Some listeners have found the author's narration difficult; that was not my experience at all. I'm glad I got to hear Mr. Pegues' account in his own voice. He did a fine job - narrating and writing - and, I believe, serving his city.

I'm appalled at the prejudice that minorities still experience. Mr. Pergues was able to explain what he experienced and observed in a manner that was very calm, rational, and convincing.

I appreciated his view on events that took place in New York city.


Once a Cop is timely, informative, and fascinating. I highly recommend this book.

[Bill Glose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up a poor black child in Queens, NY, Corey Pegues escaped poverty by dealing drugs. Raking in thousands of dollars every week, he spent big and lived large. Once he became a father, he decided he’d rather live to see his children grow up than die a “street legend.” Eschewing his old life, he joined the police and rose through the ranks to deputy inspector. Along the way, he discovered the NYPD operated with its own version of gang mentality. Once a Cop is an eye-opening look at systemic problems built into law enforcement and how it impacts those they are meant to protect and serve.

[Gail O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this book up in the library. Never realized how wonderful and meaningful this book would become to me.

It grabs you immediately and never lets loose. Almost impossible to put down.
You always hear that a writer should write about what he knows and Corey Pegues does that in spades.

I think this is a must read for everyone.

[Danny Molock]

I saw this gentleman on tv this morning and decided to watch and listen. What I heard captivated me. I believe that this book should be distributed to all law enforcement personnel and the like. I am buying it online and in a store because I want to add it to my collection to pass on to my granddaughter. Thank you in advance for the transparency. I'm extreeeemly excited to read this book!!!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt this book was almost like the black Hillbilly Elegy. A boy comes from nothing, grows up in poverty, and eventually sets his life straight to climb the ranks of the military and NYPD, never forgetting along the way where he came from and why so few others were able to make it out. An eye opening story of growing up poor in the hood.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and eye opening. Highly recommend.

[Vincent Stoessel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellence!

[Sam O'H · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an interesting story about a young black man who eventually becomes a black cop. The author covers growing up as a black teen in a black community, and gives a pretty insightful look into being a black crack dealer in New York.

I keep saying "black" in my review, because the author won't stop saying it.

I honestly expected this book to be more about the police than race, especially since race isn't mentioned anywhere in the title. But make no mistake, this book is about race. Everything the author describes, he relates back to either his own race or the race of the people he interacts with. Which is fine, as long as you know in advance.

I did find it pretty entertaining to read along as the author talked out of both sides of his mouth. He manages to simultaneously complain about people receiving preferential treatment, while then describing the preferential treatment he himself received. He complains about people having racial biases, and then goes on to detail how differently he would treat people of certain races.

My two big take-aways of the book:
1. It's a book primarily about race. Law enforcement is just an aspect of the setting.
2. Take the stories with a grain of salt and a healthy skepticism, as you witness the author regale himself with glory and praise. It's hard to believe someone who doesn't cite any sources or provide any evidence for their claims, especially when you consider (SPOILER ALERT) the end of the book when the author announces there is any open lawsuit for defamation related to his story.

It's a fine story. But for my liking, this book came too close to reminding me of why I don't read fiction novels.

[Tabitha Rohm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time reading this book. Most of it was racist. He whines about how people treated him differently because he was black. He would complain that even people in higher positions than him that were black treated him differently, because they sold out to the white. I have a different opinion of people that are black and treat other blacks differently. Maybe these blacks have realized they are a part of our society and therefore aren’t different so they don’t want to be treated differently. as long as you use your race as a crutch, you are going to stay in the same dump that you’ve always been in. I don’t recommend this book. The first part of it is very interesting when he’s talking about how I grew up on the streets, but then he uses that as a crutch, the rest of the way through the book. He thinks he should be treated different because he grew up on the street. I personally don’t think somebody that used to sell drugs should’ve been a cop, but he wasn’t brave enough to tell his superiors that that’s what he done. Then as a cop, he wasn’t willing to arrest the ones that were out there selling drugs, and that he knew was selling drugs. so maybe the blacks that were superior to him that was down in him from getting promoted might have been doing their job. They didn’t play favorites to the people who grew up on the streets. They came in as a cop and planned to serve as a cop. I read this book during Black History Month, and only in that regards with this be a good book to read.

[Amy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watch Mr Pegues on Court TV (which I watch everyday), and I usually agree with all of his commentaries. I find him to be very relatable and intelligent. This led me to read his book.

Incredible life this man has had, but the biggest takeaway…this man has integrity. I’m assuming Ma had a lot to do with that. Mr Pegues was even a moral crack dealer.

“Fair” is the word that comes to mind - Mr Pegues will call “balls” for the opposing team and “strikes” on his team, if it’s the right thing to do. He is a leader in every sense of the word and an example to be followed.

Thanks for a fantastic read!

[Simon Strzepek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once a Cop: The Street, the Law, two Worlds, one man. Written by Corey Pegues in 2016, this is the story of a young man who grows up in crime infested New York City. Set in the 1970s and onward, this non-fiction book demonstrates central themes of right and wrong, crime and justice, illegal and legal activities. I liked this book because it was a no nonsense, unfiltered look at life in NYC slums. It shows life the way it really was back then.

[Sergeant Apone · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is some really compelling stuff in Corey Pegues’s biography. His start as a street hustler. Running with a major drug gang. His eventual lifestyle change and then becoming a highly decorated New York Police officer. My only major problem is not really with the book, it’s with the presentation. Corey, my man, I wish you could have got some decent editing for your memoir. You did a lot of amazing things. I just felt that some of the story was cheapened because there were some poor segue ways from one point to the next.

[Gary Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skimmed nearly all of the first section of this because I dislike foul language. It covers the things a young black experiences on the street. The rest of the book was much more readable for me (tho still with some of the same language) and very interesting when the author became a police officer. It was enlightening to me because I had never before seen that much detail about the racism that blacks experience.

[Tim McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly amazing story! It’s a testament to how hard work, a focused commitment, continuing education, and assistance/ mentorship from the right people can yield incredible results. I am definitely impressed and inspired by Corey’s journey. He made the most out of every opportunity he was given, and he created opportunities when they weren’t given. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time!

[Juan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dynamic read is “rife” with real time “players” and street hustle slayers! Cory gets to the point in detail, taking us deep into his metaphorical transformation to become a leader as an American police officer. The 80’s were a time for serious money and people who were ready with there “gunny.” Mr. Pegues himself became part of that equation when confronted with street justice.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The chip on the author's shoulder in regards to the NYPD is so palpable in the language he uses when describing his time with them. A fascinating read nonetheless.

[Elisa R.]

Good, interesting. Facts that any well-informed person would know, amidst an insider's perspective backdrop.

[Christine Geddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Corey for shedding light where there is so much dark

[Stacy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I don't like to read too much about a book's plot because I prefer to let things unravel for me as I'm reading. I love biographies & memoirs, and my guess is that I simply added to my tbr list once I saw that it was a highly rated memoir. As a consequence, I truly did not know what to expect from this extremely readable memoir.

Based on the way it opened, I first thought the author was a cop who became corrupt, was working for a gang, got caught, and was writing the memoir from prison. The title fit with that scenario. As I began to get into the book, which proved so impossible to put down that I read 75% in one sitting, I just let it unfold without anymore guessing once my initial impression was quickly disproved as the section about drug dealing began.

I'm so glad I hadn't already known the gist of Mr Pegues' life story. It allowed me to really absorb how very amazing a life he's lived this far, from becoming a drug dealer to a top cop in the NYPD. Who'd have thunk it?

He made some very salient points about the inevitability of criminal activity in communities rife with poverty and racism, things that really made me think. The background into the NYPD and some of the now-common policies fascinating to me as someone who's not from and has never lived in New York.

I found Mr Pegues' personal opinions and beliefs to be put forth in a candid but commonsense manner that was disarming and nonoffensive. he didn't just throw an opinion out there and expect the reader to accept it as fact; he explained quite clearly in each case what led him to a particular opinion. I also found it quite appealing that he resisted the temptation to give the reader a lot of braggadocio; considering his remarkable ascent from crack dealer to an NYPD leader, he might have been quite the braggart in this book. This is a captivating memoir written in a straightforward manner that should appeal to both avid readers and people who rarely read (I do not like the term "non-readers" one little bit!").

[Jacob Ahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pegus says, “Ma, I’ll never disappoint you again.”
“Once a Cop: The Street, The Law, Two Worlds, One man”, is an impeccable story about revival. In this autobiography, Corey Pegues recalls countless times of struggle and disadvantage and his accounts of overcoming those scenarios. He did not back down from anything no matter what was thrown at him. His ability to persevere makes his story a true success story. In order to portray his ideas and perspectives, the author is very straightforward and upfront about his situations and how what they are like; he does not add any fluff to his writing. He is able to do this because of the diction he uses to compose his writing. The story is also organized so that all of his life events are in chronological order. His ability to combine the use of his very real diction and organization of events allows the reader to connect and feel exactly what Corey Pegues was going through in almost real time.


I would recommend for any mature teens, young adults and above that enjoy any type of style of writing. Even if they do not like nonfiction writing, the message Corey Pegues conveys is strong they are bound to enjoy and feel inspired. There are mature topics and words used in this book which is why I feel it would not be suitable the younger age, though it is not a hard read.