"From the beginnings of big-city police work to the rise of the Mafia, Rogues' Gallery is a colorful and captivating history of crime and punishment in the bustling streets of Old New York"-- For centuries, New York had been a haven of crime. A thief or murderer not caught in the act nearly always got away. In the early 1870s an Irish cop by the name of Thomas Byrnes developed new ways to catch criminals. Mug shots and daily lineups helped witnesses point out culprits; the famed rogues' gallery allowed police to track repeat offenders; and the third-degree interrogation method induced recalcitrant crooks to confess. Robberies became bolder and more elaborate, murders grew more ruthless and macabre, and the street gangs of old transformed into hierarchal criminal enterprises, giving birth to organized crime, including the Mafia. Oller tells of the origins of modern policing and organized crime, set against the backdrop of New York's Gilded Age. -- adapted from jacket Provided by publisher.

Prologue. Forming the picture -- Making a name -- A cop is born -- Heist of the century -- The third degree -- King of the bank robbers -- Queen of the fences -- A star cop is born -- The great detective -- "Too much for our police" -- "Fredericka the Great" -- "Wired" -- "Either the Whyos or I must go" -- Better than Scotland Yard -- "Every crime here has its price" -- Paying tribute -- A world stuffed with sawdust--and blue with perjury -- Busted -- One rough rider -- "To hell with reform" -- The man in the straw hat -- The postman rang twice -- "How strange is public opinion" -- Return of the gangs -- Skating -- Up the river -- "Send for the dago!" -- The newcomer -- The Black Hand -- Endings