It seems there are two sets of realities among interactions between uniformed officers and civilians these days, and the gap between what is reportedly true or untrue is growing wider by the day.
While New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio praised the group of 30,000 or so protestors on Sunday for what most attested was a largely peaceful and organized rally over the recent killings of unarmed civilians by police officers, the NYPD, on the other hand, is up in arms around two lieutenants who were reportedly beaten on the Brooklyn Bridge, stating their officers have taken enough abuse, and the mayor's handling of the situation is where they draw the line.
NYPD is suggesting that the mayor continues to play up the "peaceful" quotient of the protestors while playing down the violence against officers. In fact, the protestors have been described by the New York Post not as peaceful at all, but as a "vicious mob" of anti-cop protestors. The paper also added that the incident was among several outbreaks of violence and hostility toward the NYPD.
The two lieutenants who were beaten on the bridge work in the department's Legal Bureau — and were on the scene to ensure that protesters' civil rights were respected by cops. The lieutenants were set upon by several protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night shortly after speeches wrapped up the formal portion of the Manhattan demonstration near City Hall. Both officers were sent to the hospital briefly for treatment, reported The Wall Street Journal. One had a broken nose.
"Our officers have shown extraordinary restraint and patience in the face of verbal abuse and much more," said Chief of Department James P. O'Neill at a news conference late Saturday night. "After tonight's event, after the cops being assaulted, this is where we have to draw the line."
NYPD also took offense when Mayor de Blasio, during a press conference, described the " incident . . . in which a small group of protesters allegedly assaulted some members of the NYPD."
"When cops are the accused, the word 'alleged' never enters into the discussion," fumed Michael Palladino, president of the NYPD Detectives' Endowment Association.
Ed Mullins of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, called de Blasio a "total nincompoop" for his statement, reported The Post. "His actions are contributing to the injuries that are being received by the NYPD," said Mullins.
"Maybe he should be out there to take the broken nose for the lieutenant. Ask him if he'd be willing to stand out there and take the punches for the cops."
