Cops and Robbers

Summary

This video follows the life of Corey Pegues, a former drug dealer from Queens who turned his life around to become a police officer. Pegues reflects on his troubled past, the dangerous allure of street life, and how joining the military became his turning point. Despite facing skepticism and criticism throughout his police career due to his background, he persevered and eventually became a high-ranking officer. His story highlights themes of redemption, resilience, and the challenges of navigating systemic biases while seeking a second chance in life.

Takeaways

• 🛑 Corey Pegues shares his personal transformation from a young drug dealer in Queens, New York, to a respected police officer.
• 👶 Pegues grew up in a challenging environment, with a father who left and a home infested with roaches and mice.
• 💰 He started selling drugs at the age of 13, caught up in the crack epidemic that devastated inner-city neighborhoods in the 1980s.
• ⚔️ Violence was a frequent part of his life, including a moment when his brother-in-law stabbed multiple people during a fight.
• 💸 By the age of 17, Pegues was deeply involved with the Supreme Team, a notorious organized crime group in Queens, making large amounts of money.
• 🙏 At a crucial moment, when tasked with committing a murder, Pegues realized he needed to change his life and decided to join the military.
• 🚓 He later became a New York City police officer, where he climbed the ranks despite skepticism from colleagues who viewed him through a lens of racial bias and his past.
• 📖 Pegues wrote a book and shared his story to inspire young people, showing that second chances are possible and redemption is real.
• 📉 After publicly sharing his past, Pegues faced backlash, with people questioning his integrity as a police officer and the NYPD launching an investigation.
• 💪 Despite the controversy, Pegues stands by his story, emphasizing the importance of transformation and how his past shaped his ability to serve his community.

Q & A

What life circumstances led Corey Pegues to enter the drug trade at a young age?

Corey Pegues grew up in a rough neighborhood in Queens, New York, where he was exposed to poverty, violence, and instability. His father left the family, and they lived in poor conditions, which included welfare dependence and living with roaches and mice. This environment pushed him into the streets, where he and his friends started selling drugs at a young age.

What role did Corey Pegues play in the Supreme Team, and how did it shape his life?

Corey Pegues worked for the Supreme Team, a major drug operation in Queens. He rose through the ranks, making large sums of money daily and feeling untouchable. His involvement with the gang exposed him to organized crime and violence, profoundly shaping his early life and giving him a hardened view of the world.

What pivotal moment made Corey Pegues decide to leave the drug trade and change his life?

A pivotal moment for Corey was when he was handed a gun and instructed to kill someone. At just 17, with two children and working for a violent organization, he realized he needed to escape. He decided to join the military as a way to disappear from the dangerous life he was leading.

How did Corey Pegues transform his life after leaving the streets?

After leaving the streets, Corey Pegues joined the military and then went on to become a New York City police officer in 1992. This marked a complete turnaround from his former life in the drug trade, as he dedicated himself to law enforcement and eventually rose through the ranks, earning multiple promotions.

How did Corey Pegues’ background affect his experience in the NYPD?

Corey’s background as a former drug dealer and his identity as a Black man from the streets made his experience in the NYPD challenging. He was treated differently due to his appearance and demeanor, which didn’t align with the typical officer image. Despite this, he remained true to himself, gaining respect from the community while facing skepticism and racism within the department.

What impact did Corey Pegues’ story have on his relationship with the NYPD and the public?

Corey Pegues’ public admission of his past as a drug dealer caused significant backlash, especially within the NYPD. Police union leaders questioned his integrity and accused him of hiding his past. Despite the controversy, Pegues stood by his story, using it as a means to inspire others and highlight the potential for redemption.

Why did Corey Pegues feel it was important to tell his story despite the risks?

Corey Pegues felt compelled to share his story because he believed it could inspire young people, especially those in similar circumstances, to avoid the mistakes he made. He wanted to show that it's possible to turn your life around, no matter your past, and that everyone deserves a second chance.

What challenges did Corey Pegues face after the release of his book and public revelations about his past?

After the release of his book and his public revelations, Corey Pegues faced significant backlash, including the loss of his guns, threats to his pension, and intense criticism from the police union and media. His family also felt the strain, fearing they would lose everything. However, he remained resilient, standing by his decision to tell his story.

How did Corey Pegues' past influence his approach to policing and his relationship with the community?

Corey Pegues’ past gave him a unique perspective on policing. He understood the struggles of the community he served and approached his role with empathy. Unlike many other officers, he was deeply connected to the people, regularly interacting with them, and striving to bring positive change rather than just relying on punitive measures.

What message does Corey Pegues hope to convey to young people through his story?

Corey Pegues hopes to convey that no matter where you start in life or the mistakes you’ve made, you have the power to change your future. He emphasizes the importance of second chances, personal transformation, and not being defined by your past. His story is one of redemption and the potential to rise above circumstances.