By: Steven D. Patzer
I’m tired of politicians walking into city hall and telling officers how to protect our city without making them a part of the conversation. Often, these are the same legislators who were gung-ho about NY’s Finest until the “defund the police” movement became popular.
As a candidate for New York City Council, this is my plan for listening to officers and taking action on hurtful and divisive rhetoric:
- Call officers instead of other politicians when making NYPD policy.
Before I wrote this op-ed, I called several high-ranking police officers from Transit, Housing, and Patrol to ask them what concerned them most about their jobs. The answers consistently were a shortfall in staff, more understanding of use of force, and the uneven condemnation from elected officials of problems in the police force vs the bad actors at protests. A longtime captain in the housing bureau told me “there isn’t enough personnel to cover all of Brooklyn south housing, moving personnel around is unplugging one hole to plug another”. Above all, safety comes first.
- Watch your own rhetoric with the public.
When politicians have conversations with the public about everything from systemic racism to police reaction time, they should be proactive and empathetic towards both groups. I’ve heard from police officers that felt abandoned by Mayor DeBlasio because of his lack of empathy towards police officers. The result is low morale and a deep division between large groups of people and the police. Our Mayor and City Council members should be taking the lead in developing smooth channels of communication and understanding.
- Connect the police with the community.
Our leaders need to be the bridge for building trust between police officers and the community. I’ve focused on three areas: kids and authority, overall trust, and trust in crime reporting. Before the pandemic, I started “Thank A Cop Day” where children wrote thank you cards with funny jokes inside and sent them to their local precinct. Deputy Inspector Hayward at the 60th Pct. received the first one. A smile goes a long way. Last December, I handed out police uniforms and toys to kids in Coney Island and Gravesend. Both were inspired by my own experience in the NYPD Explorers program where I learned that police where pretty cool adults I could turn to if I needed help. We have to continually add and expand on these efforts. Those kids will grow up with a different take on policing in NYC. Some may even take the test when they are 18.
For adults, we need to expand on the NCO (Neighborhood Coordination Officers) program. Neighborhood policing tactics like these and “coffee with cops” events allow locals to meet their officer’s one-on-one. The first step to reducing crime is making it easier than ever to report it.
- Adding protections from COVID.
In the beginning of the pandemic, PPE was not provided right away for officers. While that is behind us now, there hasn’t been a strong voice other than the PBA on getting officers access to the COVID vaccine.
Unfortunately, over 40 NYPD officers have died from COVID-19 to date. Elected officials have the power to get officers the COVID vaccine first. The NYPD covers every part of the front line from housing to hospitals to corner stores.
Being a police officer was already a dangerous career. With an added layer of danger because of COVID-19 and a heightened level of scrutiny, we found many of our officers filing for early retirement, and I get it. NYPD officers are the amongst the lowest paid municipal workers in the tri-state area, earning around $20 an hour in their first year. I am willing to be wrong, but that doesn’t scream “sign me up”. Locals don’t join the PD for a paycheck.
- Work privately in addition to . The PD relied on private donations to keep officers safe during the beginning of the Pandemic.
During the height of the Pandemic, our neighbors chipped in so I could bring PPE and quality food to every single southern Brooklyn patrol bureau, housing bureau, and transit bureau. Often forgotten about night shift workers were also delivered Johns Deli by my team and I. All too often politicians confine themselves to their city budget. In a budget crisis, it’s more important than ever that we work alongside private industry to provide what is needed to keep this city safe.
To every officer reading this, when you think about quitting, remember why you started. You have a fighter in your corner, and you are appreciated!
Steven D. Patzer
Candidate for New York City Council, District 47
