The Seven Five

The Seven Five recounts the notorious police corruption scandal that rocked New York City’s 75th precinct in Brooklyn during the 1980s and early 1990s. It centers on Michael Dowd, a former NYPD officer who became known as “the dirtiest cop ever” due to his extensive involvement in criminal activities while on duty.

Michael Dowd’s journey into corruption began with small-scale theft and extortion from local drug dealers. As the narcotics trade exploded, so did the opportunities for illicit gains. Dowd’s criminal activities escalated from pocketing a few thousand dollars from crime scenes to actively collaborating with major drug lords.

The documentary chronicles Dowd’s partnership with Ken Eurell, another officer who was initially reluctant to engage in corrupt practices. Their relationship, which one interviewee compares to a love affair, became the cornerstone of a criminal enterprise within the police force. Together, they provided protection and inside information to drug trafficking organizations, most notably Adam Diaz’s Dominican gang known as La Compania.

As Dowd’s criminal career flourished, he became increasingly reckless. His involvement extended beyond mere protection rackets to actively participating in drug trafficking and even contemplating kidnapping. The film details how Dowd and Eurell received weekly payments of $8,000 from Adam Diaz in exchange for shielding his organization from law enforcement scrutiny.

The documentary concludes with the aftermath of Dowd’s arrest in 1992, which led to one of the largest police corruption scandals in New York City history. Dowd was eventually sentenced to 14 years in prison, serving 13 of them. His former partner, Ken Eurell, avoided jail time by cooperating with investigators. Adam Diaz, the drug lord they protected, served eight years in prison before being deported to the Dominican Republic.

The Seven Five also touches on the broader culture of the NYPD during this period. It highlights the unwritten code of silence among officers that allowed Dowd’s corruption to flourish unchecked for years. The film suggests that while Dowd’s level of criminality was extreme, the reluctance of other officers to report misconduct was a systemic issue.

Through interviews with Dowd, Eurell, and other key figures, including both corrupt officers and those who sought to bring them to justice, the film provides a comprehensive look at this dark chapter in NYPD history. It offers insight into the mindset of officers who crossed the line, the temptations they faced, and the consequences of their actions.