NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ISSUES...a conversation.

I mentioned in my previous blog about the New York City Police Department that there are many facets to the current problems the department is having with the mayor as well as with the public in general.

More and more officers (retired) are speaking out to explain their positions since many in the public (like myself) have criticized them for turning their backs on the mayor during the funerals for their fallen comrades.

The issues in question require some background information to fully understand where these issues are coming from.

Previously, I have explained the “Broken Windows” policy in policing. This includes acting on even the smallest crime to prevent bigger crimes from happening. This policy has worked wonders in New York City reducing the crime rate basically in half.

The Garner situation where a black man was inadvertently killed for selling “single” cigarettes on the street which is illegal is just such an example of “Broken Windows” where any crime, no matter how minor, is dealt with on the spot. Unfortunately, the man resisted arrest and was put into a choke hold that eventually killed him; better training of police officers may have prevented his death.

Part of this policy is called “Stop & Frisk” when police stop an individual or group they suspect of acting illegally. This policy has come under attack by liberals (including the current mayor) because inevitably the policy targets specifically blacks and Latinos. To me, blacks and Latinos are targeted because they commit the most crimes in the city and this policy has helped reduce the crime rate in the city in such a dramatic fashion.

I can sympathize with those that complain about the racial stereotyping that inevitably occurs during these stop and frisk actions and I am sure many blacks and Latinos are stopped unnecessarily because of their race and ethnicity but I do not have a way to prevent that except more and better training of police officers.

Some police officers have also vented about the public being anti-cop and that is plainly wrong. Yes, the protesters are loud and get media attention but they do not represent the general public (the silent majority) but I can empathize with the officers when all they see on TV is pro-protester coverage (except on FOX).

Other officers complain that the protesters are allowed to attack officers who now are scared to protect themselves so as not to be accused of bashing the protesters. I stand firmly with the police on this issue; if protesters break the law they need to be dealt with immediately.

Recently in New York City, there appears to be a police slow-down with officers reluctant to do their jobs. This may be an attempt to send a message to the mayor and the public that if they do not do their jobs; crime will increase, which it will.

One officer on CNN said that the mayor is directly responsible for the killing of the two police officers since he inflamed the anti-police actions due to his inflammatory rhetoric…do they have a point here?

Officers are saying that the funerals were very public and therefore perfect for them to display their displeasure at. I disagree…how about protesting in front of city hall on your off-duty hours.

I do empathize with the police on many issues they face but I still believe that protesting at the funerals did a disservice to the dead officers and their families and actually made the public think less of the officers for doing so.