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Vigilance: My Life Serving America and Protecting Its Empire City
Two-time New York City police commissioner Ray Kelly opens up about his remarkable life, taking us inside fifty years of law enforcement leadership, offering chilling stories of terrorist plots after 9/11, and sharing his candid insights into the challenges and controversies cops face today.
The son of a milkman and a Macy's dressing room checker, Ray Kelly grew up on New York City's Upper West Side, a middle-class neighborhood where Irish and Puerto Rican kids played stickball and tussled in the streets. He entered the police academy and served as a marine in Vietnam, living and fighting by the values that would carry him through a half century of leadership-justice, decisiveness, integrity, courage, and loyalty.
Kelly soared through the NYPD ranks in decades marked by poverty, drugs, civil unrest, and a murder rate that, at its peak, spiked to over two thousand per year. Kelly came to be known as a tough leader, a fixer who could go into a troubled precinct and clean it up. That reputation catapulted him into his first stint as commissioner, under Mayor David Dinkins, where Kelly oversaw the police response to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and spearheaded programs that would help usher in the city's historic drop in crime.
Eight years later, in the chaotic wake of the 9/11 attacks, newly elected mayor Michael Bloomberg tapped Kelly to be NYC's top cop once again. After a decade working with Interpol, serving as undersecretary of the Treasury for enforcement, overseeing U.S. Customs, and commanding an international police force in Haiti, Kelly understood that New York's security was synonymous with our national security. Believing that the city could not afford to rely solely on "the feds," he succeeded in transforming the NYPD from a traditional police department into a resource-rich counterterrorism-and-intelligence force.
In this vital memoir, Kelly reveals the inside stories of his life in the hot seat of "the capital of the world"-from the terror plots that nearly brought a city to its knees to his dealings with politicians, including Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama as well as Mayors Rudolph Giuliani, Bloomberg, and Bill DeBlasio. He addresses criticisms and controversies like the so-called stop-question-and-frisk program and the rebuilding of the World Trade Center and offers his insights into the challenges that have recently consumed our nation's police forces, even as the need for vigilance remains as acute as ever.
The son of a milkman and a Macy's dressing room checker, Ray Kelly grew up on New York City's Upper West Side, a middle-class neighborhood where Irish and Puerto Rican kids played stickball and tussled in the streets. He entered the police academy and served as a marine in Vietnam, living and fighting by the values that would carry him through a half century of leadership-justice, decisiveness, integrity, courage, and loyalty.
Kelly soared through the NYPD ranks in decades marked by poverty, drugs, civil unrest, and a murder rate that, at its peak, spiked to over two thousand per year. Kelly came to be known as a tough leader, a fixer who could go into a troubled precinct and clean it up. That reputation catapulted him into his first stint as commissioner, under Mayor David Dinkins, where Kelly oversaw the police response to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and spearheaded programs that would help usher in the city's historic drop in crime.
Eight years later, in the chaotic wake of the 9/11 attacks, newly elected mayor Michael Bloomberg tapped Kelly to be NYC's top cop once again. After a decade working with Interpol, serving as undersecretary of the Treasury for enforcement, overseeing U.S. Customs, and commanding an international police force in Haiti, Kelly understood that New York's security was synonymous with our national security. Believing that the city could not afford to rely solely on "the feds," he succeeded in transforming the NYPD from a traditional police department into a resource-rich counterterrorism-and-intelligence force.
In this vital memoir, Kelly reveals the inside stories of his life in the hot seat of "the capital of the world"-from the terror plots that nearly brought a city to its knees to his dealings with politicians, including Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama as well as Mayors Rudolph Giuliani, Bloomberg, and Bill DeBlasio. He addresses criticisms and controversies like the so-called stop-question-and-frisk program and the rebuilding of the World Trade Center and offers his insights into the challenges that have recently consumed our nation's police forces, even as the need for vigilance remains as acute as ever.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2015
37 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 20, 2015
Ray Kelly served as Police Commissioner of New York City longer than any top police officer in NYC history. Mugged in Central Park as a third-grader Kelly was sent on a life of fighting crime. Kelly tells about his early life, his time in the Marines serving in Viet Nam and joining the NYPD. He went to the police academy and rose through the ranks holding all the ranks. He tells of his education and obtaining his Doctor of Jurisprudence from St John’s Law School.
Kelly tells about when he first became Police Commissioner under Mayor David Dinkins during the crack plague and when murders in the City hit 2245 in 1990—three times the toll in 1967. Mr. Kelly devised the strategy; City Hall found the money for more police and the crime wave began to ebb. Kelly champions aggressive policing especially the tactic known as “stop-and-frisk”. Kelly tells of his challenges and accomplishments as Commissioner under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Much of the book tells how Kelly transformed the NYPD into an antiterrorism force; he created an intelligence division and a counter- terrorism bureau. He tells of the 16 terror plots against the City that were thwarted on his watch. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Ray Kelly narrated his own book.
Kelly tells about when he first became Police Commissioner under Mayor David Dinkins during the crack plague and when murders in the City hit 2245 in 1990—three times the toll in 1967. Mr. Kelly devised the strategy; City Hall found the money for more police and the crime wave began to ebb. Kelly champions aggressive policing especially the tactic known as “stop-and-frisk”. Kelly tells of his challenges and accomplishments as Commissioner under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Much of the book tells how Kelly transformed the NYPD into an antiterrorism force; he created an intelligence division and a counter- terrorism bureau. He tells of the 16 terror plots against the City that were thwarted on his watch. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Ray Kelly narrated his own book.
October 5, 2016
Ray Kelly did a lot of great things for NYC and America. I found this to be an excellent read.
September 14, 2015
While there's no question that Ray Kelly, America's Cop, has had a remarkable career, his book suffers from his greatest downfall -- a kind of paranoia -- resulting in his inability to say anything nice about the FDNY or PA Police, both of whom suffered great loss on 9/11. And when he writes that he needed a young NYPD Lt. to teach him what crack vials were, he seems to confirm why many old time Chiefs dismissed him as a lightweight "Kelly's always in school -- what does he know?". Well, as this book confirms, he does know quite a bit and the book is helpful as a timeline but for a deep look into the NYPD and its relationship to both the city and counterterrorism, better books are needed. And lastly, as Kelly points out, in the 1960s, when he started, NYPD cops were paid more than other city cops. Today, that's not true and he fails to explain how -- and why -- that happened on his watch. Today's New York is vastly safer thanks to the cops and firefighters who saved it but they can't afford to live here and in part you can thank Ray Kelly for that.
September 21, 2015
Why we remain safe
This biography should be required reading in all introductory criminal justice studies.
1. Kelly's life story is inspiring for all seeking a successful career path.
2. Kelly clearly spells out how the political process can and does interfere with principled and constitutional policing.
3. Most importantly, Kelly along with mayor Bloomberg gives the reader an inside view of hoe New York was kept safe from terrorism and lowered the crime rate by principled and constitutional means despite the harping of the ultra liberals and academic liberals.
This biography should be required reading in all introductory criminal justice studies.
1. Kelly's life story is inspiring for all seeking a successful career path.
2. Kelly clearly spells out how the political process can and does interfere with principled and constitutional policing.
3. Most importantly, Kelly along with mayor Bloomberg gives the reader an inside view of hoe New York was kept safe from terrorism and lowered the crime rate by principled and constitutional means despite the harping of the ultra liberals and academic liberals.
October 23, 2015
One of the best books of the year. A fascinating first hand account of policing techniques, anecdotes and commentary of local New York State and federal security issues and resolutions that affect everyone. Definitely a must read.
November 16, 2022
In the sacred fraternity of law enforcement, there exists a great responsibility to protect the innocent placed upon the shoulders of America’s gallant men and women standing on the Thin Blue Line between order and chaos. Nowhere is that duty more vital than in New York City. Heralded as “The Crossroads of the World,” America’s mighty metropolis is guarded by the biggest and busiest police department. Enter the NYPD comprised of 35 thousand police officers with ancestry from 106 countries, fluent in 60 languages, supported by 15 thousand civilian employees. Ready to respond to a myriad of complex and dangerous situations 24/7, the man at the helm of this elite organization is none other than the Commissioner. Tasked with shouldering the burden of administrative, personnel, community relations, crime reduction and counterterrorism, New York’s Top Cop has the most important job in “The Big Apple.” Now, one of its finest commissioners, Ray Kelly, chronicles his life and career shielding New York City from the forces of evil in his memoir “Vigilance: My Life Serving America and Protecting Its Empire City.”
Born and raised in NYC, Ray Kelly came from a blue-collar Catholic family on the Upper West side. Driven by a life of service, Kelly enlisted in the Marine Corps and did a tour of duty in Vietnam. Upon his return to the states, he found new battles to fight at home on the mean streets of New York as a rookie Man in Blue. Rising through the ranks from Sergeant to Precinct Commander and finally to the highly coveted role of Commissioner in the early 1990’s, Ray Kelly got his first real baptism by fire coordinating the emergency response to the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing on February 26th when a vehicle borne improvised explosive device detonated in the parking garage. The largest pre-9/11 and Oklahoma City Bombing attack left in its wake: eight people dead and more than five thousand injured. Yet, it was only a chilling prelude of what awaited New York and the nation years later. With the arrival of new leadership in the form of Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1994, Kelly relinquished command of the NYPD and took on challenging roles working for the State Department, U.S. Customs and even creating an international law enforcement contingent to quell unrest in Haiti. At home, the New York Police Department would see three commissioners: William Joseph Bratton (1994-1996), 29th FDNY Commissioner Howard Safir (1994-1996) appointed Commissioner of the NYPD from 1996 to 2000 and Bernard Kerik (2000-2001).
At the dawn of the 21st century, September 11th 2001 changed the trajectory of not only the world, but Ray Kelly’s life dramatically as well. Four months after the worst terrorist attack ever perpetrated on American soil, Ray Kelly is appointed NYPD Commissioner for the second and last time. The only man to serve as Commissioner twice in the department’s more than 150-year history. His tenure would be one of the most daunting and frightening of any Top Cop. During his twelve years as Commissioner, Ray Kelly swiftly transforms the NYPD into a robust crime-fighting and counterterrorism agency. Establishing elite tactical Critical Incident Response Teams for terrorism and active-shooter incidents, Hercules anti-terror units to protect the UN general assembly, mass transit subways, rail, bus and airport terminals, to keeping vigil over the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Fleet Week, Presidential and foreign dignitary visits, and keeping Time Square safe on New Year’s Eve. Ray Kelly championed a massive three-billion-dollar budget to fund the largest counterterrorism matrix in the world; including a 150-million-dollar state-of-the art surveillance hub gathering intelligence from three thousand cameras strategically situated around New York City.
All of the mammoth preparation, vigilance and training would be put to the ultimate test over the next twelve years with Commissioner Kelly as the Point Man responsible for an entire army of men and women on the New York Beat; including various law enforcement attachés around the world acting as flies on the wall monitoring international terrorism chatter. Through heightened awareness, preventative countermeasures and rapid proactive response, a total of 16 terror plots were thwarted on Ray Kelly’s watch. Among them: the 2010 Time Square Car Bomb incident and an audacious attempt to bomb the Brooklyn Bridge featured in the 1998 Godzilla movie. In each instance, hundreds if not thousands of lives would’ve been lost, eclipsing the 9/11 attacks. This monumental counterterrorism safety net made New York one of the safest cities in America until Kelly’s retirement in 2013.
After listening to this book on Audible, Ray Kelly does a great job narrating an amazing book. I have a lot of respect for authors who narrate their works. It’s not easy. In conclusion, Ray Kelly will certainly be remembered as one of New York City’s best commissioners. If you’re a fan of Bernard Kerik’s novel “The Grave Above the Grave” or Tom Selleck’s police procedural “Blue Bloods,” Ray Kelly’s memoir “Vigilance: My Life Serving America and Protecting Its Empire City” is a great book to read or listen.
November 7, 2018
What is plainly evident from this book is that Ray Kelly is an outstanding public servant and is spot on in his arguments about what makes for good policing, for the practice of law and order in America and the world.
October 16, 2021
With a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College, a law degree from Saint John’s University School of Law, a Master of Laws from New York University Graduate School of Law, and a Master of Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, no doubt, Ray Kelly has been the best-educated police commissioner in New York City history to date. In addition to being the head of “the world’s premier police department,” (first for eighteen months and then later for a precedent-setting twelve years), Kelly also served as Director of the International Police Monitors of the Multinational Force in Haiti. Kelly was Under Secretary for Enforcement at the United States Department of the Treasury. Kelly served on the executive committee and was elected Vice President for the Americas of Interpol. Kelly served as the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service. Kelly was senior managing director for corporate security at Bear Stearns. Kelly also worked as the head of the New York office of Investigative Group International, a private investigations firm. With all that education and experience, one could be tempted to say, Ray Kelly has a tough time keeping a job!
As chronicled here in the pages of Kelly’s memoir, the retired Marine Corp colonel was at the helm of the New York Police Department and oversaw police response to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. And then it was de ja vu all over again as eight years later, Kelly retook the reins of the NYPD a second time, immediately following the second attack on the WTC on September 11. But, as Kelly dramatically points out in chapter fourteen, “the terrorists didn’t rest on their laurels after 9/11.” Kelly writes, “As far as (the terrorists) were concerned, September 11, 2001, was the spectacular start to an endless barrage of attacks on America and especially, New York City.” During Kelly’s twelve years as the city’s police commissioner, his department uncovered and stopped no less than sixteen “genuine, active terror plots launched by Islamic extremists intent on causing damage and killing people in New York City.” All sixteen of the “potentially deadly, many possibly catastrophic” terrorist attacks are reported here, beginning on page 208. Kelly describes “the sixteen plots to attack New York City” as not being “just the wide-eyed rantings of zealous believers or the harmless fantasies of the mentally ill.” On the contrary, Kelly explains, “they were live, active conspiracies, perpetrated by people intent on mass murder.” Kelly digs “into the frightening details of these individual conspiracies” to take the plots apart. As Kelly notes, “each one (of the sixteen plots) teaches . . . the biggest (lesson) of all: we must never drop our guard.”
Ray Kelly’s 2015 documentary of his “life serving America and protecting its empire city” predates by five years, of course, the May 2020 police custody death of George Floyd that started a civil rights firestorm of riots and protests across the nation. As a result, the far left’s most recent call to defund America’s police departments does not appear in Kelly’s retrospective. However, citing the Michael Brown, Walter Scott, and Freddie Gray headline grabbing stories earlier, Kelly does offer his insights into the issue of alleged police brutality. Kelly acknowledges, “From Ferguson, Missouri, (Michael Brown), to North Charleston, South Carolina, (Walter Scott), from Baltimore, Maryland, (Freddie Gray), many Americans feel intensely aggrieved at the behavior of some police officers.” Kelly admits, “police abuse does occur. Sometimes with tragic results. Those cases must be investigated and, if necessary, prosecuted aggressively, and victims should be compensated.” However, after over four decades of law enforcement experience, Kelly insists “police abuse is a distinct aberration, not a systemic problem . . . not the rule.”
As a way of preventing if not prosecuting bad police behavior, Kelly says he “became a believer in police officers wearing (body) cameras.” After Kelly saw video of officer Michael Slager brutally shooting a fleeing Walter Scott in North Charleston, the author says, “You would have to believe that no one required to wear a camera would commit such a dastardly act.” The Scott shooting “was a game-changer” for Kelly. Kelly advocates other police reforms such as “role-playing exercises” as part of police training, on-the-job diversity as well as consolidating smaller police departments. In addition, Kelly believes “police departments everywhere should be largely demilitarized.” Kelly believes local police departments’ surplus military equipment such as Jeeps, Humvees, armored weapons carriers “in times of (major) emergency . . . can still be made available through state armories but shouldn’t be used on day-to-day patrols or in anything less than the direst of circumstances” or “when common sense (dictates) it will only exacerbate tensions.” Kelly concludes his list of suggested police reforms with a call for better education. Major departments, Kelly says, should give “serious thought . . . to requiring a four-year college degree for all police officers.” According to Kelly, today’s law enforcement profession is “more complex, more subtle, more legalistic, more closely watched, more culturally diverse,” which should make a college degree “a basic, universal standard of policing.”
This reviewer’s takeaway? If Ray Kelly was “successful in transforming the NYPD from a traditional police department into a resource-rich counterterrorism-and-intelligence force,” what has it become in the years since Kelly’s departure, most notably under Mayor Bill DeBlasio? Is New York’s finest still exercising true vigilance?
As chronicled here in the pages of Kelly’s memoir, the retired Marine Corp colonel was at the helm of the New York Police Department and oversaw police response to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. And then it was de ja vu all over again as eight years later, Kelly retook the reins of the NYPD a second time, immediately following the second attack on the WTC on September 11. But, as Kelly dramatically points out in chapter fourteen, “the terrorists didn’t rest on their laurels after 9/11.” Kelly writes, “As far as (the terrorists) were concerned, September 11, 2001, was the spectacular start to an endless barrage of attacks on America and especially, New York City.” During Kelly’s twelve years as the city’s police commissioner, his department uncovered and stopped no less than sixteen “genuine, active terror plots launched by Islamic extremists intent on causing damage and killing people in New York City.” All sixteen of the “potentially deadly, many possibly catastrophic” terrorist attacks are reported here, beginning on page 208. Kelly describes “the sixteen plots to attack New York City” as not being “just the wide-eyed rantings of zealous believers or the harmless fantasies of the mentally ill.” On the contrary, Kelly explains, “they were live, active conspiracies, perpetrated by people intent on mass murder.” Kelly digs “into the frightening details of these individual conspiracies” to take the plots apart. As Kelly notes, “each one (of the sixteen plots) teaches . . . the biggest (lesson) of all: we must never drop our guard.”
Ray Kelly’s 2015 documentary of his “life serving America and protecting its empire city” predates by five years, of course, the May 2020 police custody death of George Floyd that started a civil rights firestorm of riots and protests across the nation. As a result, the far left’s most recent call to defund America’s police departments does not appear in Kelly’s retrospective. However, citing the Michael Brown, Walter Scott, and Freddie Gray headline grabbing stories earlier, Kelly does offer his insights into the issue of alleged police brutality. Kelly acknowledges, “From Ferguson, Missouri, (Michael Brown), to North Charleston, South Carolina, (Walter Scott), from Baltimore, Maryland, (Freddie Gray), many Americans feel intensely aggrieved at the behavior of some police officers.” Kelly admits, “police abuse does occur. Sometimes with tragic results. Those cases must be investigated and, if necessary, prosecuted aggressively, and victims should be compensated.” However, after over four decades of law enforcement experience, Kelly insists “police abuse is a distinct aberration, not a systemic problem . . . not the rule.”
As a way of preventing if not prosecuting bad police behavior, Kelly says he “became a believer in police officers wearing (body) cameras.” After Kelly saw video of officer Michael Slager brutally shooting a fleeing Walter Scott in North Charleston, the author says, “You would have to believe that no one required to wear a camera would commit such a dastardly act.” The Scott shooting “was a game-changer” for Kelly. Kelly advocates other police reforms such as “role-playing exercises” as part of police training, on-the-job diversity as well as consolidating smaller police departments. In addition, Kelly believes “police departments everywhere should be largely demilitarized.” Kelly believes local police departments’ surplus military equipment such as Jeeps, Humvees, armored weapons carriers “in times of (major) emergency . . . can still be made available through state armories but shouldn’t be used on day-to-day patrols or in anything less than the direst of circumstances” or “when common sense (dictates) it will only exacerbate tensions.” Kelly concludes his list of suggested police reforms with a call for better education. Major departments, Kelly says, should give “serious thought . . . to requiring a four-year college degree for all police officers.” According to Kelly, today’s law enforcement profession is “more complex, more subtle, more legalistic, more closely watched, more culturally diverse,” which should make a college degree “a basic, universal standard of policing.”
This reviewer’s takeaway? If Ray Kelly was “successful in transforming the NYPD from a traditional police department into a resource-rich counterterrorism-and-intelligence force,” what has it become in the years since Kelly’s departure, most notably under Mayor Bill DeBlasio? Is New York’s finest still exercising true vigilance?
December 30, 2015
While your pre-existing "knowledge" of NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly may come from the absurdly overblown coverage of the stop and frisk policy, this is an important trove of insights into counter-terrorism efforts and crime reduction practices that the data and personal experience bear out as true and effective. A very important read as to how policing can be done well in an age where we see it being done so poorly on the major news outlets.
November 7, 2015
I really enjoyed the "Reasonable Suspicion" chapter- a policing device that the left has all but eliminated. Ray provided great analysis on how the left plays with the statistics to demonize police efforts. "Shouldn't women comprise 50% of detentions?" Great work Ray. We are all sorry that Bill Warren Wilhelm de Blazio became mayor. A sad trajectory for a great city.
October 10, 2015
Not bad....
For a career in law-enforcement officer, he is highly educated and open to new ideas.... We need more people like him.
He also gave a vigorous defense of the NYPD policy of "stop and frisk"
For a career in law-enforcement officer, he is highly educated and open to new ideas.... We need more people like him.
He also gave a vigorous defense of the NYPD policy of "stop and frisk"
March 28, 2016
Great job, great read.
The NYC I grew up in & learned to love again thanks to men like Ray Kelly. A once in a lifetime person for the job.
The NYC I grew up in & learned to love again thanks to men like Ray Kelly. A once in a lifetime person for the job.
March 5, 2019
I listened to the unabridged audio version of this book, read by the author. Kelly has a slight speech impediment, a bit of slushy lisp, that made it hard for me to understand some of his words. That said, I didn't think it compromised the overall quality of the work.
This book oscillates between being very interesting and dull. Kelly recounts his years of service in the military, his education, his career in Federal and municipal law enforcement. He had a Hell of a career, and he goes into great detail as to what he did, who he served with and what he and his teams accomplished. Much of it seems to be prideful boasting of what he had done...but he also strikes me as a man who could confidently back up his claims and who truly believes what he says.
He's hard to pin down insofar as his politics. He's both critical and praising of the Giuliani and Bush administrations, and scathing towards Bill DeBlasio. He strikes me as a centrist who would work with any administration so long as they worked within the parameters of what he thought were sound. Given that, Republicans and Democrats alike might find this worth looking at. It's hard to find a bias towards anything other than the New York Police Department, to which Kelly is extraordinarily loyal.
I'd recommend this book as a useful perspective on law enforcement. Don't make it your only one, of course...but put it in your stack.
This book oscillates between being very interesting and dull. Kelly recounts his years of service in the military, his education, his career in Federal and municipal law enforcement. He had a Hell of a career, and he goes into great detail as to what he did, who he served with and what he and his teams accomplished. Much of it seems to be prideful boasting of what he had done...but he also strikes me as a man who could confidently back up his claims and who truly believes what he says.
He's hard to pin down insofar as his politics. He's both critical and praising of the Giuliani and Bush administrations, and scathing towards Bill DeBlasio. He strikes me as a centrist who would work with any administration so long as they worked within the parameters of what he thought were sound. Given that, Republicans and Democrats alike might find this worth looking at. It's hard to find a bias towards anything other than the New York Police Department, to which Kelly is extraordinarily loyal.
I'd recommend this book as a useful perspective on law enforcement. Don't make it your only one, of course...but put it in your stack.
May 8, 2017
A fantastic register of one man's (many) accomplishments. Ray Kelly is extremely well-spoken. He manages to be laser precise and thorough in his details without you ever questioning the need for the depth of his insight. I felt the book painted a beautiful (although brief) portrait of life in mid-century New York which had me eager for more. Kelly is proud of his work with good reason and rarely, if ever, came across as braggadocios. He reads extremely fair and balanced in his recollection of events and manages to avoid ever being rudely political as easy as it could have been. Kelly is a by-the-book policeman through and through never straying from his morals or tip-toeing around facts.
December 27, 2021
The administration of Bill De Blasio has been disastrous in every way, but a complete inability to control crime has to be at the top of the list. It might be hard to remember what a safe city NYC used to be when Bloomberg was mayor and Kelly was the police commissioner. Kelly's book is a great read in effective policing - how to achieve good relations with all communities and use technology to control crime and combat real terror threats. Hope the next mayor, who served under Kelly, uses these lessons to return the city to what it used to be, and its residents deserve.
July 18, 2020
Commissioner Kelly has the gravitas and experience and good judgement
to be the role model for all future police commissioners.
A true leader and role model for others to learn from.
to be the role model for all future police commissioners.
A true leader and role model for others to learn from.
September 9, 2020
Interesting to read more details on events that, naturally, never made it's way to the forefront of the media. Overall - not a riveting read but had its chapters that were far more engaging than others.
June 13, 2022
Very surprised as it is a very well written autobiography with little boasting about how great he is. Just a simple account of his upbringing, life in the Marine Corp and Law Enticement. I enjoyed reading this book.
October 27, 2018
Good insight into NYC cops.
September 2, 2017
Fell behind on my reviews. Great read. An amazing man and leader. This book shows all aspects of an ever changing world and how NYPD has stayed ahead of it especially post 9-11.
March 18, 2018
Good. would of liked more in depth
I felt Brattons book was a bit better
I felt Brattons book was a bit better
July 24, 2018
Very good read
Always respected Ray. He was the best NY has ever had. Recommend this book to any one who likes Bios
Always respected Ray. He was the best NY has ever had. Recommend this book to any one who likes Bios
July 31, 2018
Heroic
August 29, 2021
Though a bit political, Kelly’s autobiography is for the most part a very interesting read.
January 18, 2022
Fantastic, well written autobiography of a tough, but caring leader in policing.
January 4, 2016
First, thank you Ray Kelly for your service for New York City and the United States of America.
There were many historical revelations in this book about New York like the New York fiscal crisis during the 70's. Kim Phillips-Fein expertly covered the crisis for The Nation with her 2013 article "The Legacy of the 1970's Fiscal Crisis." The New York press trashed former Mayor David Dinkins during his tenure, so it was refreshing to see that Kelly is defending Dinkins years later in his memoir. In an unexpected chapter, Kelly talks about his time in the small troubled island of Haiti some time before Aristide became the elected President.
Throughout the book he referred to the police department, rather the culture of the department as insular. I believe he was responsible for requiring officers to have a 4-year degree (60 college credits or 2 years in the military) for entry into the police academy amongst many other modernizations that citizens may not be aware of or appreciate fully appreciate. Apparently NY PBA union chief Pat Lynch joined the department in 1984, before Kelly became First Deputy Commissioner. (See what I did there?) Like many other memoirs written by former politicians, Kelly takes a piss here and throws mud at the direction of some former colleagues. I guess he's not above being little bit sensational or adding [see below]
Throughout the book, he makes a strong argument for stop and frisk. In the hardcover edition he alludes to it on page 131 and goes in further on page 184. He states that police stop should involve a light pat-down . . . Respectfully. Professionally. Firmly. I'm going to completely ignore the legal arguments but stops and frisks were not carried out lightly in certain neighborhoods. Beware credit card scammers. If smart phones were ubiquitous during the 90's I think he would have quickly mandated that NYC cops wear a camera. Yes, I take issue with the phrase "light pat-down." Towards the end of the book, he addresses the many controversial events of 2014 and 2015. He states that "smart people need to make key distinctions", "the police abuse is a distinct aberration, not a systemic problem" and offers "we have to address all those root causes, however far back they go."
Uhmmm . . . I'm not a lawyer, or a policy expert but maybe "smart people need to" realize that secret grand jury proceedings involving police officers need to be reformed. There are clear reports of systemic abuse in Alabama, torture, illegal detainment in Chicago, and of course the Department of Justice report that details the system of abuse in Ferguson, Missouri. How would the Former Police Commissioner address the root causes? He has some solutions but nothing concrete. Is he's fully aware of what's going on throughout the country, I'm not convinced.
Overall the memoir is compelling, and informative. The chapter "Terror Never Sleeps" lists a number of potential terrorist incidents that were stopped before they became a well-known New York event. It was dry but still important. From the planning of the Freedom Tower to the legal battle surrounding "Stop and Frisk" you will get an inside look into New York politics. I'm looking forward to a rewrite by Tom Wolfe. No? Reader Beware: The name dropping in this book is exhausting.
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This book was written and published in 2015. I think this book is an obvious precursor towards a run to become the next mayor of New York in 2017. After the book was published Ray Kelly makes some bold public insinuations about the current Commissioner's crime stats.
I'm not sure if this scandal will help. Who knows if there's any validity to this report but I'm going to go out on a limb and state that Former Commissioner Kelly does not have a friend on the Daily News editorial staff.
Kelly needs a better publicist. After reading this book, I will strongly consider voting for Ray Kelly as the next mayor of New York City. Final score: 3.5/4 . . . just read it and enjoy.
There were many historical revelations in this book about New York like the New York fiscal crisis during the 70's. Kim Phillips-Fein expertly covered the crisis for The Nation with her 2013 article "The Legacy of the 1970's Fiscal Crisis." The New York press trashed former Mayor David Dinkins during his tenure, so it was refreshing to see that Kelly is defending Dinkins years later in his memoir. In an unexpected chapter, Kelly talks about his time in the small troubled island of Haiti some time before Aristide became the elected President.
Throughout the book he referred to the police department, rather the culture of the department as insular. I believe he was responsible for requiring officers to have a 4-year degree (60 college credits or 2 years in the military) for entry into the police academy amongst many other modernizations that citizens may not be aware of or appreciate fully appreciate. Apparently NY PBA union chief Pat Lynch joined the department in 1984, before Kelly became First Deputy Commissioner. (See what I did there?) Like many other memoirs written by former politicians, Kelly takes a piss here and throws mud at the direction of some former colleagues. I guess he's not above being little bit sensational or adding [see below]
Throughout the book, he makes a strong argument for stop and frisk. In the hardcover edition he alludes to it on page 131 and goes in further on page 184. He states that police stop should involve a light pat-down . . . Respectfully. Professionally. Firmly. I'm going to completely ignore the legal arguments but stops and frisks were not carried out lightly in certain neighborhoods. Beware credit card scammers. If smart phones were ubiquitous during the 90's I think he would have quickly mandated that NYC cops wear a camera. Yes, I take issue with the phrase "light pat-down." Towards the end of the book, he addresses the many controversial events of 2014 and 2015. He states that "smart people need to make key distinctions", "the police abuse is a distinct aberration, not a systemic problem" and offers "we have to address all those root causes, however far back they go."
Uhmmm . . . I'm not a lawyer, or a policy expert but maybe "smart people need to" realize that secret grand jury proceedings involving police officers need to be reformed. There are clear reports of systemic abuse in Alabama, torture, illegal detainment in Chicago, and of course the Department of Justice report that details the system of abuse in Ferguson, Missouri. How would the Former Police Commissioner address the root causes? He has some solutions but nothing concrete. Is he's fully aware of what's going on throughout the country, I'm not convinced.
Overall the memoir is compelling, and informative. The chapter "Terror Never Sleeps" lists a number of potential terrorist incidents that were stopped before they became a well-known New York event. It was dry but still important. From the planning of the Freedom Tower to the legal battle surrounding "Stop and Frisk" you will get an inside look into New York politics. I'm looking forward to a rewrite by Tom Wolfe. No? Reader Beware: The name dropping in this book is exhausting.
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This book was written and published in 2015. I think this book is an obvious precursor towards a run to become the next mayor of New York in 2017. After the book was published Ray Kelly makes some bold public insinuations about the current Commissioner's crime stats.
I'm not sure if this scandal will help. Who knows if there's any validity to this report but I'm going to go out on a limb and state that Former Commissioner Kelly does not have a friend on the Daily News editorial staff.
Kelly needs a better publicist. After reading this book, I will strongly consider voting for Ray Kelly as the next mayor of New York City. Final score: 3.5/4 . . . just read it and enjoy.
February 15, 2017
As a long time fan of Ray Kelly, I was interested to learn more about his background and his experiences. I liked his personal insights and especially the details of the 16 failed terrorist attempts on our country.
July 10, 2016
Ray kelly is an admirable individual with an undeniably impressive resume. He is hardnosed, intelligent and forward thinking, the type of leader you’d have thought second thoughts about following into battle. I agree with the majority of policies he initiated and actions he took, and believe that in some cases his proactive work has revolutionized modern law enforcement and security practices. This guy knows how to get the job done the right way and will not be slowed by political obstructions or naysayers.
That said, this book carries a somewhat irksome self-congratulatory undertone, and later, self-justification. He never hesitates to acknowledge his associates, but you’ll see a ton of “I did this,” or “I started that,” and then “here’s why I did…” His positive influence on his field and the dynamic city of New York (and elsewhere) is unquestionable, and if all commissioners, chiefs and sheriffs across the country were like him, the country would be in excellent shape from a crime standpoint. Perhaps if the book itself read a little less like a tribute to himself and his achievements, it would be a bit easier to recommend.
That said, this book carries a somewhat irksome self-congratulatory undertone, and later, self-justification. He never hesitates to acknowledge his associates, but you’ll see a ton of “I did this,” or “I started that,” and then “here’s why I did…” His positive influence on his field and the dynamic city of New York (and elsewhere) is unquestionable, and if all commissioners, chiefs and sheriffs across the country were like him, the country would be in excellent shape from a crime standpoint. Perhaps if the book itself read a little less like a tribute to himself and his achievements, it would be a bit easier to recommend.
October 31, 2015
This a great book on the life of NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. As a cop myself with a small town police department, NYPD a police department of more than 36,000 police officer. They have more cops than members of the community I police. So it's always fascinated me as for he type of leader it takes to be able to inspire and appreciate the people in a way that's effective to not only the department but to a city a huge as NY.
In the book you learn about Ray Kellys background. His childhood where he learned developed his strength of character that ultimately lead him into the USMC where he lead men in war. These leadership capabilities and his character were strengthened and this from the book it comes across clearly shaped his leadership and appreciation of others. Service attributes in men like Ray Kelly were developed while young and evolved throughout his life and are what made him a great leader and successful in his abilities to run a big city police department with grace and legitimacy.
In the book you learn about Ray Kellys background. His childhood where he learned developed his strength of character that ultimately lead him into the USMC where he lead men in war. These leadership capabilities and his character were strengthened and this from the book it comes across clearly shaped his leadership and appreciation of others. Service attributes in men like Ray Kelly were developed while young and evolved throughout his life and are what made him a great leader and successful in his abilities to run a big city police department with grace and legitimacy.
August 2, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. As a native New Yorker, it was really eye-opening to hear about Commissioner Kelly's experiences and the city's growth, especially under the the leadership of a variety of mayors. There was some great insight into the mayoral elections in the city, particularly the election of the mayor after 9/11 and DiBlasio's election. I wish there had been more insight into 9/11, but I understand why certain details couldn't be shared. Overall, a great book that I recommend people read if they're interested in the topic at hand.
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