The NYPD's Dirtiest Cop: Michael Dowd
The subject of the documentary The Seven-Five, Michael Dowd worked as a cop in one of the most dangerous and corrupt precincts in NYC. At one time, he considered himself both A gangster and a cop
Background
New York City in the 1980s was a crucible. Crack cocaine ravaged entire communities, while violence became commonplace, and amidst the chaos, the 75th Precinct in East New York, Brooklyn, stood as a grim symbol of a broken system.
Here, in one of the most dangerous precincts in the country, patrolled Michael Dowd, a cop who would become synonymous with the largest police corruption scandal in NYPD history. Dowd's story, as documented in the documentary "The Seven Five," is a chilling exploration of temptation, betrayal, and the seductive power of easy money.
Joining the Force
Dowd arrived at the 75th Precinct a wide-eyed rookie. Having been transferred from a precinct in Queens. Dowd immediately found himself in another world. East New York was a warzone.
The crack epidemic had transformed street corners into open-air drug markets, and homicides were a grim routine occurrence. Dowd felt undervalued and underappreciated. He spoke of working long hours for meager pay and a sense of being perpetually on the edge. It was in this environment that the seeds of corruption were sown.
Dowd joined the NYPD in 1982 at age 21. He remembers at that time he was earning $17,000 a year. In an interview decades later, Dowd recalled the first time that he abused his authority as a police officer. He remembers pulling over a brand new Corvette with no license plates, and the driver did not have a license or registration. He also had several thousand dollars in cash on him.
With his stomach growling and six dollars in his pocket, Dowd proposed that if the driver were to buy him a lobster lunch, then he would forget about the whole thing. The driver then gave Dowd a few hundred dollars and went on his way. Before long, Dowd would find himself involved in much more serious criminal activity.
On the Take
Eventually, Dowd and his partner, Ken Eurell, were hired by a Dominican drug gang known as the Diaz organization. They were paid $8,000 a week for services that included escorting and protecting the gang’s drug shipments, harassing and arresting rival dealers, and giving tipoffs about upcoming drug raids or police investigations.
In one instance alone, a tip from Dowd was able to save the organization from losing half a million dollars worth of cocaine, which was about to be seized in a raid. In another instance, Dowd and Eurell abducted a man who had robbed one of Diaz’s cocaine spots. The man was then delivered to Diaz. His fate remains unknown.
Dowd, Eurell, and others within the 75th precinct also made side cash by taxing drug dealers and, in some cases, committing armed robberies against drug dealers. As they said, “What’re they gonna do, call the cops?”
A Cop and A Gangster
Dowd, according to his own admission, became a "cop and a gangster," blurring the lines between law enforcer and criminal. He recalled making so much money from the street that he would often forget to cash his NYPD check. He took protection money from drug dealers, stole seized drugs and cash, and even participated in drug sales himself.
Dowd wasn't alone. The 75th Precinct became a breeding ground for corruption. A culture of silence and shared spoils fostered a sense of impunity. Senior officers either ignored the rampant criminality or actively participated.
The precinct became a self-contained criminal enterprise, operating with its own twisted code of loyalty.
Investigation and Arrest
At the time, the 75th precinct was by no means alone in its corruption. Many other precincts within the city were experiencing similar misconduct issues by officers. In fact, during the mid-1980s, a neighboring precinct, the 77th, was shaken by a major corruption scandal, and several officers were arrested while others were forced to resign.
The scandal caused many within the seven-five to be on high alert for any possible investigation going on within the department. However, by his own admission, Dowd was far too arrogant and cavalier to tone down his behavior.
By this time, Dowd was not only protecting drug dealers, he had become one. Dowd and Eurell had set up their own drug dealing operation on Long Island. He had also begun using cocaine and was drinking heavily.
When one of their dealers sold drugs to an undercover agent, an investigation was launched that would eventually lead back to Dowd and Eurell. Facing a Rico charge and the prospect of a substantial federal prison sentence, Eurell decided to cooperate and tape-recorded numerous conversations with Dowd.
Dowd was arrested and faced racketeering and drug conspiracy charges. In 1994, Michael Dowd was convicted on these charges and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Aftermath
Prior to serving his prison sentence, Dowd agreed to testify before the Mollen Commission, which was set up by NYC Mayor David Dinkins in the wake of several high-profile NYPD scandals, including the 77th and 75th precincts.
Dowd testified about his years of corruption while serving as a patrolman in the NYPD. However, in keeping with the blue wall of silence, Dowd refused to testify against or name any other officers who may have also been complicit.
Even still, the fallout from Michael Dowd's whistleblowing extended far beyond the confines of the 75th Precinct. The Mollen Commission investigation, fueled by Dowd's testimony, exposed a culture of corruption that permeated various NYPD units.
Officers at all levels, from street cops to detectives, were implicated in schemes ranging from drug dealing to ticket fixing.
The public outcry was swift and fierce. Newspapers ran scathing editorials, and citizens expressed outrage at the betrayal of trust. The NYPD, already grappling with a decline in public confidence, faced a crisis of legitimacy.
In response, the department implemented a series of reforms aimed at curbing corruption. These included stricter internal affairs investigations, improved training on ethics, and increased oversight by civilian review boards. "The Seven Five" served as a stark reminder of the need for constant vigilance against police misconduct.
The story of Michael Dowd and the 75th Precinct scandal goes beyond the sensational headlines of a crooked cop. "The Seven Five" serves as a springboard for a wider discussion about the conditions that breed police corruption and the potential for reform.
While the NYPD has made significant strides in combating corruption, the issue remains a complex one. Police departments across the country grapple with balancing officer safety and well-being with accountability and transparency.
Dowd's story serves as a potent reminder that the fight against corruption is a continuous one, requiring ongoing vigilance and a commitment to reform.
Sources:
Van Syckle, Katie. “Talking to a Former NYPD Officer So Dirty He Spent 12 Years in Prison.” Intelligencer, 7 May 2015, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2015/05/this-nypd-officer-was-so-dirty-he-went-to-prison.html
Pulver, Andrew. “Precinct Seven Five review - a jaw-dropping account of New York police corruption.” The Guardian, 30 June 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/30/precinct-seven-five-review-edinburgh-film-festival-new-york-police-corruption
Summers, Megan. “Who Are The Seven Five: NYPD's Infamous Crooked Cops Led By Ringleader Mike Dowd.” Ranker, Updated 23 September 2021, https://www.ranker.com/list/who-are-the-seven-five-precinct/megan-summers
The Seven Five. Directed by Russell Tiller, Starring Michael Dowd, Ken Eurell, Walter Yurkiw, Produced by Eli Holzman, Aaron Saidman, and Sheldon Yellen, 2014