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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Elizabeth Pearson Garr has spent a lot of her life asking questions. A daughter of a professor and a principal, as a kid she loved sitting at the “adult table” during their dinner parties so she could participate in the “real” conversations.
Elizabeth went on to graduate with honors from Harvard with a degree in History and Literature, and promptly attended professional cooking school to become a food writer. That led to various career opportunities, including becoming one of the first employees of the Television Food Network; writing/producing gigs at networks from PBS to E!; anchoring/reporting at the NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana; earning a graduate degree in Documentary Film & Video from Stanford University; and various and sundry other things. The through-line to all this has been curiosity. Elizabeth is a skilled interviewer who loves diving deep into research, finding connections, and telling good stories.
Elizabeth has a husband, two daughters, and a fluffy white dog who rarely leaves her side.
