Dear Fellow Sergeant,

The New York City Council, as well as other elected officials at all levels of government continue to make our extremely challenging job more difficult by the day. The quality of life in our once great and safe city is in a perpetual downward spiral with no one steering the ship on a proper course. Despite the best efforts of many public officials to convince us differently, the perception and reality of crime leaves millions of everyday New Yorkers living in a constant state of high alert, which is arguably not really “living” at all.

It is no secret that many politicians have no respect or affection for the police, although they are glad to have security details provided by the NYPD. What makes that especially galling and troubling is that they continually rail against the most basic public safety policies while advocating for the release of violent criminals and using their enormous power to topple the entire criminal justice system.

Where is the justice or moral rectitude when mentally ill offenders who randomly slug passersby or continually shoplift from stores are repeatedly released because of cashless bail? Where is the justice or even-handedness when pickpockets and fare beaters with dozens or even hundreds of arrests are continually freed to commit the same crimes with no fear of consequences?

Despite the chaos and disorder of their own making, many legislators persistently denounce the police as if we are the problem. They are determined to create a new social order and care little if at all about the law-abiding people they were elected to protect and support.

We see the social ruination all around us, whether it is blocks of homeless encampments or addicts using drugs in plain view. We claim to be a compassionate city, but there are no enforceable social policies to treat the legions of mentally ill men and women who are committing crimes while lost in their own delusions, propelled by demonical inner voices that only they can hear.

The NYPD’s primary responsibility is removing dangerous people from the streets so they cannot harm themselves or others. We do this very well. But we are not equipped or trained to provide social services, such as beds for the homeless or treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, anger management, or domestic violence.

In a well-structured society, those types of services are in place and are regularly utilized to maintain social order and improve the overall quality of life. If we are going to have such inane policies as cashless bail and community supervision in lieu of repeat offenders being remanded pending trial, the proper apparatus must be in place to keep law-abiding people safe. The NYPD is busy doing their part, so it is imperative that other agencies do theirs.

The NYC Council, as well as office bearers in many major municipalities throughout the country, have no understanding of this simple concept. The deterioration of public safety under their watch has resulted in an explosion of violent crime and property crime that cannot be minimized or ignored. Their inept leadership is not really leadership at all and is a direct affront to the values and ideals we hold dear.

Another example of the City’s fecklessness is the empowerment of CCRB, which is now investigating police officers involved in vehicle pursuits under the guise of “Abuse of Authority.” If found guilty of such an infraction, the City will not indemnify you and you will be personally responsible for civil lawsuits. What that means in the simplest and starkest of terms is the City’s Law Department will not represent you. You are on your own and the financial well-being of your family is in great jeopardy.

Please refamiliarize yourself with Patrol Guide Procedure No. 221-15, VEHICLE PURSUITS. It states that the Primary Vehicle must “determine the necessity for commencing and continuing a vehicle pursuit by considering,” among other things, the nature of the offense initiating the pursuit, and the location and population density where the pursuit is taking place.

It is imperative that you know that the responsibility of the Patrol Supervisor is to “terminate the pursuit if necessary.” In addition, be very aware that many vehicle-related offenses such as possession of paper plates or stolen plates, or even Grand Larceny Auto, will likely not be indicted, much less prosecuted.

Never in history have NYPD officers had so little support amid such tremendous challenges. As negative as this information is, I assure you that the SBA appreciates the tremendous commitment and dedication that you bring to the job, and we will never turn our back on you. You deserve nothing less.

Fraternally,

Vincent J. Vallelong
President
Sergeants Benevolent Association