doi:10.7916/d8-t4zk-ha26Oral history interview with Ralph Salerno, 1982Salerno, Ralphoral historiesmixed materialMafia--United StatesOrganized crime--History--20th century.--United StatesJewish criminals--New York (State)Drug dealers--United StatesDrug traffic--History--20th century.--United StatesDrug control--History--20th century.--United StatesPolice corruption--New York (State)Salerno, RalphNew York (N.Y.) Police Department HistoryIn this interview, Ralph Salerno discusses his thirty-six year career in law enforcement, twenty years of which he spent at the New York City Police Department. He discusses his decision to become a police officer, and how his recruitment onto the force landed him in a unit that was investigating the murder of Joseph Scottoriggio, initiating his specialization in organized crime. He discusses being made a detective in 1950. Salerno describes tactics of investigation such as electronic and physical surveillance. He explains the many routes through which heroin and opium entered the United States, including through Canada, South America, and Vietnam. He discusses the impact of the Narcotic Control Act of 1956 on New York drug trafficking. He details an investigation he did in the 1960s into the Gallo-Profaci gang war. Salerno discusses his 1969 book "The Crime Confederation: Cosa Nostra and Allied Operations in Organized Crime." He describes how control of the New York City narcotics trade transitioned from mainly Jewish crime syndicates to mainly Italian crime syndicates between 1930 and 1960. Salerno describes the corruption he perceived was growing in the police force, and how it was a contributing factor in his decision to retire at forty-one years old. Salerno discusses what he believes the future of narcotic policy will be in the future in the United States