Does it seem that everyone, including the media and politicians, is gingerly handling the New York Police Depart (NYPD) and its police officers even though these officers are openly and regularly provoking and defying authority?  Does it seem that they are afraid to criticize the Department and these officers even if they believe that what the officers are doing is wrong?  And if they are, is there a reason why they are treating them with kid gloves?  Or, am I just overreacting and they are simply handling a delicate situation in the way that it should be handled?

Isn’t Mayor de Blasio the person who appoints the NYPD Commissioner?  For the NYPD to feign a show of respect for the commissioner but openly disrespect the mayor in the commissioner’s presence not only shows disrespect for the mayor but it also shows disrespect for the commissioner who is the NYPD Chief’s boss.  In most cities if police officers conducted themselves in this manner and the person who was appointed by the mayor and is at the top of the organization chart did not hold them accountable, wouldn’t that person be replaced?

If the commissioner is treading softly at the behest of the mayor the two of them are doing an outstanding job of keeping it secret.  As I have said before, even if these NYPD officers do not respect the mayor, they should respect the position and office that he represents.  If they have grievances they certainly should be able to air them but the funeral of a fallen police officer is not the time or the place for this and neither should it be done by a public showing of disrespect for the mayor.

I realize that Mayor de Blasio is not the president of the United States or even the governor of New York but it is not hard to imagine what would happen to someone who serves at the pleasure of the President of the United States or the Governor of New York if they witnessed this kind of conduct by subordinates and did not hold them accountable; especially if it happened repeatedly.  For me, it is somewhat disconcerting to watch this scenario play out while these police officers act so boldly and with such an air of impunity.

There are those who say that Mayor de Blasio should apologize to the NYPD and tell them that he made a mistake.  What I would like to know is exactly what it is that he said that he should apologize for.  If he is at fault, does that mean that it is okay for the police to all but stop doing their job?  Is the mayor, who was elected by the people of New York City, looked upon by the NYPD police officers as just a figurehead and that they are the ones who really run the city?

There are many of us who believe that a large majority of NYPD police officers and police officers throughout the country want to be fair and even-handed with all of the people that they police.  They want to stop and question citizens only if they truly have reasonable suspicion to do so.  If they need to use force, they want to use only the required amount of force.  If a situation becomes heated, if possible, they want to deescalate it.  They just want to do their job and not be demonized for it.  If they are appreciated for it then they see that as an added bonus and graciously accept it.

I believe, as probably do many others, that this large majority of police officers know that some of their fellow police officers – who are in the minority – profile citizens, use excessive force and in other ways abuse their authority.  Those officers in the majority may not participate in these activities but they turn their heads away and remain silent because of the so-called ‘blue code.’  Their silence is deafening!

I don’t know if police departments around the country need to provide police officers with more training while paying special attention to what, right now, appear to be problem areas for almost all police departments.  But I do know that it is time for brave police officers in that large majority to step forward and speak up.  It is not the only way to change things and improve police departments so that they will work better and begin to build mutual respect and trust between police and the communities that they serve and protect but it absolutely must be a key part of the solution.

Eulus Dennis