Robert Leuci was a detective with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), known for his work exposing corruption in the police department and the criminal justice system. After retiring from the NYPD he wrote novels, short stories, TV episodes and a memoir of his years on the force. He taught and had residencies at over forty universities and law schools, and lectured on morality and ethics erosion at many US police departments and the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Leuci knew Frank Serpico, known for being the first officer to expose corruption within the police department ranks. The book and the film Prince of the City are based on a portion of Leuci's police career.