“It’s Not Worth Stopping Anyone”: New York Police Struggle As Liberal Policies Implemented

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and his liberal policies have put the police department in a bad situation.

For a moment, a brief one, the NYPD seemed poised to actually be on the path to cleaning up their city. A “stop-and-frisk” policy allowed the police much more leeway for fighting crimes. But this type of law was too far out of the box for the liberal governor and mayor.

The policy has been scaled-back in ways that have left officers feeling like “it’s not worth stopping anyone.” It goes without saying, that isn’t an attitude police in a major city should have. Their frustration and hopelessness are clear and understandable though.

Attorney Peter Zimroth has the monumental task of implementing the court-ordered reforms to the stop-and-frisk program. He wrote a memo to the federal judge outlining focus-group feedback.

Attorney Peter Zimroth is trying to help the NYPD through this transition.

He relays the confusion felt by police;

“Officers have said, ‘The law is confusing. I don’t know what’s expected of me anymore.” He quotes the officers as saying, “With the environment that we’re in now, it’s not worth stopping anyone because the department won’t have our backs.”

According to police, the paperwork involved in these stops is a burden most of them aren’t able or willing to deal with;

“It is definitely not worth doing the [required paperwork]. That form is toxic, and there’s too much paperwork. It’s like doing a mortgage application.”

President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association Ed Mullins.

President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association Ed Mullins states that the report shows officers don’t have faith in management;

“This information should come as no surprise to anyone including the executive management of the NYPD.” He also believes that Zimroth is the proper person for implementing the laborious policies.

“Peter Zimroth, a highly respected and credible attorney and appointed monitor, has now validated what we’ve been saying all along. We welcome his recommendations and look forward to positive changes.”

NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill had a message for officers as well;

“To be clear: I’m not laying fault for this on you. You did what the leadership of the department asked, and the leadership bears responsibility for the consequences.”

Source: New York Post