The Police Misconduct Registry (PMR) – the first national database documenting officers fired for misconduct – will honor social justice activist and former New York Police Department detective with the first-annual PMR Humanitarian Award. The award will be presented annually to a current or former member of law enforcement who has intervened, called out, or reported corruption or misconduct at great risk to themselves or their livelihood.
Former New York police detective Frank Serpico, who was immortalized by Al Pacino in the 1973 film Serpico, has been named the first-ever recipient of the award. Serpico famously exposed rampant corruption in the New York City Police Department in the late 1960s to early 1970s. He is now a prominent anti-police corruption activist. PMR founder Dr. Erroll Southers and SCI interim director Jessie Redd selected Serpico for his brave deeds and continued efforts towards the eradication of police corruption.
“We’re proud to present the first ever PMR Humanitarian Award to Frank Serpico, a true champion in the fight against police corruption and misconduct,” said Dr. Southers. “We hold him, and others like him, in the highest esteem and know that they put their lives on the line to do the right thing.”
“I have often stated the importance of recognizing Lamplighter-Whistle Blowers for their sacrifice and service as pillars of the community,” said Frank Serpico. “I am privileged to be able to accept this prestigious award in honor of whistle blowers past, present and future the world over.”
The PMR is the first comprehensive national catalog of police officers who have been terminated or resigned due to misconduct. Designed to hold police officers and departments accountable and increase public trust in law enforcement, the PMR is a trustworthy, transparent and publicly available resource of officers separated due to misconduct.
In an effort to promote transparency, the database will document all police officers who were terminated or resigned due to misconduct available details such as excessive use of force, corruption, domestic violence, sexual assault, physical assault, harassment, perjury, hate group affiliation or falsifying a police report. All information in the registry is drawn from public sources, such as official department statements, court records, police notices, news reports and other open sources.
