PBA President Patrick Lynch to Members: 'We Are In Crisis!'

The following letter was submitted by a source within the New York Police Department.

Dear PBA Member,
 
There has never been a more dangerous time for our profession or our city.  Police officers across our country are under attack by extremists who seek to destroy everything we stand for, destroy all the good we do for our communities and — in too many cases — physically attack and injure us. 
 
This is a nationwide assault. But as always, New York City is at the forefront of the lunacy. Nearly 300 of our brothers and sisters have been injured during the recent unrest – but you have heard almost nothing about their sacrifice in the media. Instead, you are hearing the rabid calls to defund law enforcement, strip us of our rights and imprison us for doing what our city’s leaders sent us out to do.  
 
The NYPD’s senior leadership have surrendered. They are still trying to appease radicals who won’t be satisfied with anything short of complete destruction of the NYPD. Mayor de Blasio has lost control, and even the anti-cop City Council is scrambling to catch up to the mob in the street.
 
Our loudest and most aggressive detractors are now in charge.  We are alone and under siege.  What do we do?
 
The PBA is encouraging all members to keep the following points in mind in the current environment:

• Your first responsibility is the safety of your own family and your fellow police officers.  No matter what, every one of us must go home safely at the end of tour.
• Your second responsibility is to New Yorkers in distress. If you receive a call for help, render aid.  Treat every crime victim the way you would want your own family members treated.
• After you fulfill those two responsibilities, DO NOT DO ANYTHING MORE THAN YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO BY LAW OR DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS. You are NOT RESPONSIBLE for providing political cover to 1 Police Plaza or City Hall. 
• The people of New York City, through their elected leadership, have chosen this approach to public safety. As law enforcement professionals, we might believe they have made a mistake, but we cannot and will not change their minds. They will need to see and experience a decaying, crime-ridden city before they reverse course.

We cannot understate the extent to which you are PERSONALLY AT RISK in this environment.  

The risks are far more serious than an anarchist throwing a brick:

You should expect that anti-police activists will be targeting you and possibly your family for harassment…or worse. We recommend deactivating all social media profiles, or at least removing any personal information or information that identifies you as a member of law enforcement.

You should also expect that any use of force will be criminalized, even and especially when you are following the directives of police and elected leaders. Prosecutors here and around the country are refusing to prosecute criminals. Instead, they are directing their attention to prosecuting police officers. Before using any form of force, ask yourself: is it worth getting locked up for this?

These are things you can do as an individual police officer. As an organization, the PBA will remain focused on what has always been our core mission: to protect our members’ safety and most basic rights and to strategically defend every police officer who is wrongfully persecuted.  

This is a sad and somber time for police officers across our country.  And I will be blunt: it will not get better soon. But we will survive as long as we remain together. Our solidarity is our greatest strength, and the greatest safety measure we have is each other.

 Fraternally,

Patrick J. Lynch
President