If there has ever been a question of whether the NYPD is out of control, the answer is certainly evident at this point. It is.
Some of the rank-and-file members of the PBA and the union’s president have considered the road most traveled—the road of disrespect and opposition, as exemplified by a Congress that has conspired against the president of the United States and the people of the nation since Barack Obama’s inauguration six years ago.
A half white Black man has entered the White House and an Italian man with a Black wife has entered New York City’s Gracie Mansion with their half Black children.
As a father, Bill de Blasio advises his son on matters concerning his well being and personal safety. That advisement is not predicated on his skin color, it is predicated upon the relationship of a father and son. He is not assuming that police officers would even recognize his son on the street. After all, Chief David Scott of NYPD’s Patrol Bureau was stopped and harassed by two officer of the 108th Precinct years ago. He was called “home boy,” “pops” and “homie.” Upon his return to the precinct later that day, in full dress uniform, the officers were summonsed to the command, where they met Scott. They snapped to attention but did not recognize the chief until he said, “It’s me, ‘home boy.’” Needless to say, it was their last day in the 108th Precinct. To make it even more embarrassing, his photo was in the hall of every precinct in the city.
A child cannot be faulted when parents have failed to teach “courtesy, professionalism and respect.” Anarchy is nurtured in the back alleys of a failing society.
It was the philosopher Edmund Burke who said, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.” I dare ask, what good men would do nothing in the face of wrongdoing? Where are the good men and women of NYPD? How can those who are afraid of their coworkers protect and serve the public?
Where is the Guardians Association? The Hispanic Society? What support is there for the victims and potential victims of disrespect?
How can the public embrace those who would defy the orders of the police commissioner of the city of New York and disrespect the office of the mayor of the city of New York? Who will respect those who continue to disrespect elected officials?
We have seen this in the past with Rudy Giuliani and the PBA at City Hall with Mayor David Dinkins years ago. Police officers are public servants, not lords of the manor.
Racism strikes at the core of the entire nation, and it is not being dealt with. Let’s go back back 13 years to then New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer. Spitzer had completed a report on stop-and-frisk that deemed it unlawful in the manner in which it was being utilized by the NYPD. Then NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly disregarded the chief law enforcement officer of the state. That disregard conveyed the same attitude to the rank and file of the NYPD. Kelly believed that he was above the law as he promoted illegal searches and seizures in New York City.
Twelve years later, we have hundreds of thousands of people of color who cannot seek gainful employment in the city wherein they live because of the racist practices of Kelly, the NYPD and Michael Bloomberg.
Non-residents come into our city to seek employment as the constitutional rights of people of color are trampled upon. Their photos and fingerprints remain in the system, and they are denied employment. The complicity of judges, assistant district attorneys, district attorneys and attorneys has emboldened the illegal practices of the Police Department.
Have you asked, if crime is so low, how come arrests have been so high? Why are so many of those arrests dismissed or not even brought before a judge? Racism does not leave room for integrity. Many of the cases brought before a judge are called “343 of DPs,” declined to prosecute, by the district attorney. Such cases are very shaky—questionable arrests with questionable scenarios and evidence.
Police officers who consistently bring in questionable arrests are not challenged by supervisors or flagged by the district attorneys.
Racism is not based in integrity. It is a fraud, misguided leading the misguided. The Rev. Martin Luther King once stated that the most dangerous thing is an ignorant man in a position of authority.
At these two recent funeral, I do not recall an invitation for Pat Lynch to speak. The families are certainly operating on a higher plane.
If Commissioner Bill Bratton cannot rein in Lynch, his days will be numbered.
Sunday night’s shooting of two officer in the Bronx was followed with more than two dozen calls with information regarding the two wanted individuals from the people of the Bronx. We do not solve crimes in a city of this size solely upon police mysticism. Those cases are solved with the help of the decent people living in all communities of this city. All communities.
Many years ago, I responded to the shooting of young police officer, Yusef Thomas, on Kingston Avenue in Brooklyn. It was the people of the community who heard the shot and subdued the assailant at the scene. The best backup for a police officer is the community. Void of that element, an officer has to wait for help. I personally have been helped by individuals who I had arrested in years past. It was because of the manner in which I treated them that they came to my aid in some violent situations. I have never left the community that I have served and live in.
Police do not reduce crime. Communities and the police reduce crime.