You Can Go Home Again

YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN In 2005, Terrence McTigue is planning to become a New York police officer. What's unusual about this 34-year-old Bronx son joining the NYPD is that he's already been on the force for nine years. After a short hiatus out west, he's going back to square one.

McTigue grew up in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, a fireman's son. He reluctantly agreed to talk over a few pints at Marty O'Brien's Pub, an Upper East Side joint where he pulls a couple of day shifts. McTigue has a dark Irish look to him. He is short and compact and has a commanding presence. I've seen him in action and he never loses his temper, but it's clear that he's keeping it under control.

I asked how being a bartender and a cop is similar.

"Both deal with a lot of assholes."

And how are they different?

"As a bartender I can make a lot more money and have better hours."

McTigue decided to be a cop-the first time around-because he didn't "want to be stuck in an office wearing a suit." So, in 1991 at age 20, he signed on. Assigned to Housing, he worked some of the wildest projects in the South Bronx. You think you know New York? Take a stroll through Claremont Village, St. Mary's, Melrose or Jackson projects, and you'll see a New York most don't know exists.

"I started working the projects when crack was still big. I was on patrol doing 25 to 30 jobs a shift. That's a lot of calls when you have to do the paperwork."

Was seeing project life up-close a culture shock?

"I wasn't some suburban kid who had never seen city life. My dad was a fireman in Washington Heights and I was always there as a kid? My father was a good role model because he always smiled and said 'hello'? I learned from working in poor and violent neighborhoods that most of the folks there were decent and hard-working and just wanted respect."

After almost a decade on the job, an offer in Northern California drew him out west. Then, in 2002, a family illness called him back. After taking up pub work in Manhattan, he realized how much he loved working as a New York cop.

"I've matured. I can now step out of myself and realize how good I had it. I miss the excitement of the job. I miss having a cold beer at choir practice and talking about our day. I worked with brave cops who day after day were extraordinary heroes."

McTigue pauses and says, "Look, I don't want to sound like some gloryhound, but I really want to protect the hard-working people of this city."