F
Community Leadership
Frank Serpico
b. 1936Brooklyn, NYItalian American descendantLiving
Portrait not yet licensed
Public-domain portraits will be added in a future wave.
Why Included
NYPD whistleblower whose exposure of systemic police corruption led to the Knapp Commission reforms and changed public understanding of police accountability.
Notable For
- Exposed NYPD corruption leading to Knapp Commission (1971–1972)
- Subject of Academy Award-nominated film Serpico (1973)
Honors & Recognition
- NYPD Medal of Honor
Sources
- ACLUfoundation
- Encyclopaedia Britannicabiography
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frank Serpico Italian?
Yes — Frank Serpico is of Italian heritage. NYPD whistleblower whose exposure of systemic police corruption led to the Knapp Commission reforms and changed public understanding of police accountability.
Explore the wider history of Italian Americans.
Suggest a Correction
If you believe this entry contains an error, outdated information, or a sourcing issue, we want to hear from you.
Quick Facts
- Field
- Community Leadership
- Years
- b. 1936
- Birth Place
- Brooklyn, NY
- Origin
- Italian American descendant
- Biography Review
- Draft — Pending Review
- Ancestry Verification
- Confirmed
Know someone we should add?
The list grows through community nominations. Help us expand toward 1,000.
Nominate a figure →