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Artwork for Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

Audible | Crooked Media
Murder
Fraud
Blood Vines
Public Housing
West Memphis Three
New York City
NYPD
Crime Scene
Corruption
Housing Rights
NYCHA
Affordable Housing
Federal Investigators
Megan Stoner
True Crime
Licciardi Family
California Wine Industry
Wine Scams
White Zinfandel
Investigation

The police tell us they are here to protect us. But what if their original purpose was something else altogether? Peabody Award-winning host Chenjerai Kumanyika takes listeners on a journey to uncover the hidden history of the largest police force in the world – from its roots in slavery, to rival police gangs battling across the city, to everyday people who resisted every step of the way. As our ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes14Founded2 years ago
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History

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Artwork for Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

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Recent Guests

Jenny Brown
Kirby Brown's associate, a clinical social worker who witnessed the events
Episode: Listen Now: Audible True Crime
Ginny Brown
Kirby Brown's mother
Episode: Listen Now: Audible True Crime
Kayla Parcells
Co-founder and COO of Creators Inc
Creators Inc
Episode: Listen Now: OnlyFantasy
Mac Muir
Author of Cop Cop, Breaking the Fixed System of American Policing
Author, Cop Cop
Episode: Empire City Update: Introducing Unruly Subjects
Fanta Kaba
A resident reporter investigating LGBTQ housing issues
Episode: Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
James Rodriguez
Professor at City University of New York specializing in public housing and gentrification
City University of New York
Episode: Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
Sanji Lopez
Resident of Batanzas Houses in the Bronx affected by public housing privatization
Episode: Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
Brenda Temple
Resident observing changes in her housing development post-privatization
Episode: Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
John Teufel
Attorney and former police misconduct investigator in New York
Episode: Bonus Episode: The Fall of Eric Adams

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 883 ratings
  • Outstanding work

    I found this show after hearing Conscious Lee interview Chenjerai Kumanyika on Black History for Real. I just finished binging all 8 episodes. I’m going to include Empire City as “recommended listening” for a graduate course on Social Justice and Health Care Ethics I teach at a university school of nursing.

    Thank you especially for honoring the names of the fallen, including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lisel P.
    United Statesa year ago
  • Only true crime in which I'm interested are the crimes of the pigs and us government

    Podcast Addict
    1
    JosendheLP
    a year ago
  • Mr

    An amazingly revelatory story told by a truly impressive voice. Some things you already understand in general but the presentation of details and contexts can illuminate in ways that make the familiar feel foreign. Kudos to Chenjerai for bringing this history home!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bunny Lacour
    United Statesa year ago
  • So informative

    I really loved the dried on the history of the NYPD. It was a great look at a perspective that isn’t talked about enough.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Masterson031
    United States2 years ago
  • Look Back to Understand Now

    There’s synchronicity involved with this podcast and it’s information. It is so timely. It’s uncanny how much the moment of now matches up with the times of Tammany Hall infamy. Boss Tweed has been reincarnated as Trump and there are so many other ways in which our time is replaying ghosts of our past.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hagstoz
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audiences praise the relevance to current debates on policing and accountability.
Shows strong storytelling and production quality with a clear historical focus.
Listeners appreciate accessible yet rigorous exploration of complex history and its modern implications.
The host brings a compelling mix of research and personal insight to policing history.

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In Our TimeBBC Radio 4

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Empire City Update: Introducing Unruly Subjects
Q: How did body cameras change the way cases were evaluated?
Body cameras shifted evidence dynamics by providing visual context that could precede witness testimony, forcing investigators to rethink how and when to weigh statements and how to approach a case with more objective framing.
Empire City Update: Introducing Unruly Subjects
Q: What was the first officer you interviewed like, and what did that teach you about investigations?
The first officer was guarded and evasive, which underscored how crucial it is to frame questions openly and build trust to elicit comprehensive details, especially when there's no video evidence and you're relying on narrative memory.
Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
Q: What does NYCHA mean to you?
It's stability and community, providing a sense of security for residents.
Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
Q: What happens when public housing goes private?
A whole lot of the poorest residents of America's biggest city, who are almost all people of color, are about to find out.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Empire City explores the origins of the NYPD, tracing its roots from slavery to the formation of policing as an institution, and it examines how historical forces, personal testimonies, and investigative storytelling shape current debates about law enforcement. Through rigorous research, diverse perspectives, and careful storytelling, the series aims to illuminate why policing exists in its present form and how power, accountability, and race have intertwined all along. The show is notable for weaving historical context with contemporary relevance, offering a nuanced look at governance, reform, and the human impact of policing decisions, which can help listeners evaluate policy and ethics in public safety.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Scene on Radio
2. First America
3. 5-4
4. You're Wrong About
5. Question Everything

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 14 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Jenny Brown
2. Ginny Brown
3. Kayla Parcells
4. Mac Muir
5. Fanta Kaba
6. James Rodriguez
7. Sanji Lopez
8. Brenda Temple

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