New York City's police unions need to get a grip

[Omaha Steve]

http://theweek.com/article/index/274163/new-york-citys-police-unions-need-to-get-a-grip

It's time for the NYPD to respect democracy By Ryan Cooper | December 26, 2014

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Time to hit the brakes, guys. (Kena Betancur/Getty Images)


he brazen murder of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, shot to death last weekend by Ismaaiyl Brinsley in some horribly misguided attempt at retribution over the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, is a tragedy. But it was made worse by NYPD union officials and allies, who cynically appropriated Liu and Ramos' deaths to bludgeon their political opponents.

Pat Lynch, the president of the Patrolman's Benevolent Association (New York's largest police union), all but accused Mayor Bill de Blasio of actual complicity in the murders, saying "that blood on the hands starts at City Hall in the office of the mayor," language echoed by the Sergeants Benevolent Association.

New York cops are used to getting their way. But they don't seem to realize how times have changed. And there's a good chance their fire-eating rhetoric could backfire.

First, the political context. Lynch and the PBA have been embroiled in a political fight with de Blasio, who was elected in part on a platform of restraining the police. The mayor has sharply curtailed stop-and-frisk, and has made some hesitant moves toward stricter scrutiny of cops using excessive force after Eric Garner was choked to death by police and his killer was not indicted.

FULL story at link.

[GoCubsGo]

1. "Courtesy, Professionalism, Respect." What a crock.

They should try reading the doors of their own squad cars. I saw none of that yesterday.

[belzabubba333]

2. the title should have been: New York City's police need to get a grip

as the union is not a material thing that can get a grip. this wording is another media attack on unions in general trying make unions seem like a bad thing to the general public. why does union even need to be mentioned in this story?

[Just for Fun]

3. not a grip, they need to fire Lynch

Revoke his pension amd live being an disgraced ex cop that wont get a job securing a dollhouse.

[msongs]

4. he represents the views of rank and file. he is a symptom no the problem nt