NYPD chief tells off-duty police not to wear uniforms, apparel following Bronx attacks in anti-cop protests
In the wake of anti-cop protests and a series of attempted assassinations of cops in The Bronx, NYPD’s Chief of Department has issued a number of precautions for officers to follow, the New York Post reports. The New York cops have been warned by their Chief of Department that any situation they might find themselves in can now “escalate into a major, possible life-threatening incident.”
In a letter to Precinct Commanders and other high-ranking personnel, Chief of Department Hazel Jennings urged cops to not wear uniforms or other NYPD apparel if they ride public transportation to and from work.
“Advise loved ones and friends to refrain from wearing clothing items or carrying items brandishing the department name and logo, for their safety,” Jennings wrote in another precaution.
“Only uniformed staff that are firearms qualified shall be assigned to front entrance and other point of entry posts,” she added. “Uniformed staff assigned to such posts shall be armed and wearing their ballistic vests at all times while on duty.”
This comes after an anti-cop gunman reportedly shot two police officers in separate assassination attempts in the Bronx over the weekend.
Robert Williams was charged with attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest for the two shootings on Saturday night and Sunday morning, respectively.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea and Mayor Bill de Blasio held a press conference on the case Sunday afternoon, blaming the attacks on an anti-police atmosphere spurred by recent protests.
During the address, Shea blasted criminal justice reform activists who have protested against the use of excessive force. He also referenced a January 31 demonstration when a radical, police hating group chanted anti-NYPD slogans at the Grand Central Terminal.
"These things are not unrelated. We had people marching through the streets of New York City recently," Shea said. "Words matter. And words affect people's behavior.'
Meanwhile, Mayor De Blasio also echoed that the anti-police sentiment in the city had gotten out of control.
"Anyone who spews hatred at our officers is aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere; it is not acceptable," said De Blasio, who was elected on a promise to reform overly aggressive policing of minority communities. "You could protest for whatever you believe in, but you cannot vilely attack those who are here to protect us. It creates this kind of dynamic."
That said, Jennings warned in her letter that even day-to-day incidents had the potential to escalate into a worst-case scenario for law enforcement.
“It is strongly emphasized that any situation, even one which may appear minor, can rapidly escalate into a major, possibly life-threatening incident,” she wrote.