NYPD detectives leaving force in droves after frustration mounts over rules to fight crime
Over 100 NYPD detectives have retired from their jobs in June, reports said. To add to this, 75 more are planning to put in their papers by next month. Talking to New York Post, officials and detectives said many officers have become frustrated by the "revolving door justice and rules that hamstring them" in the city.
The Detectives Endowment Association president Paul DiGiacomo said, "That’s going to have a major impact on investigating crimes. The detective squads are down now as we speak and are investigating more cases. It’s going to have an impact on public safety."
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This means that so far this year over 250 detectives have retired, leaving the force number at around 5,600 - almost 2000 less than what it was two decades ago. When the COVID-19 virus was at its peak in 2020, almost 750 detectives retired. This number dropped down to 395 in 2021. The outlet then reported that cops in general were also leaving the force.
Queens Detective Jason Caputo, 51 said that he has 'had enough' during his walk out ceremony at the 105 Precinct station house on Tuesday, June 28. Missing out on his maximum pension, Caputo said, "To know me is to know I love the job in and out but it’s not the same job I joined." He has been a part of the force since 18 years but the pension kicks in only after 20 years.
He added, "The no bail law was a big thing with me. It’s not even really crimefighting anymore. You arrest somebody for assault 2 with a weapon and then the person is back at the precinct getting his property the next day. They’re not locking anyone up, even those with records. Pay your debt to society. You broke the law.”
Another issue Caputo is worried over is making arrests and running into further problems with the city laws. One specific law he spoke of was the one that prohibits officers from putting pressure on an individual's diaphragm. Caputo added, "Things you do on the street can affect your whole life. I’ll always be a cop in my heart."
Another detective from Bronx, who has been working since 21 years, said that he would be planning his walk out soon. He prefered to remain unnamed but said, "I put my papers in and I’m scheduled to leave next month." This anonymous detective with 500 career arrests said, "The criminals are not being prosecuted and they’re not being held accountable. It’s insane." He added, "I feel bad for the businesses. You can even have private security and they just go in there and assault them. They assault police. It really sucks. But I don’t see any politician really solving the problem.”
