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Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York

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NYC PBA
Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York
Founded1892
Headquarters125 Broad Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10004-2400
Location
Members
23,810 (2017)[1]
Key people
Patrick Hendry, President
AffiliationsNAPO
Websitenycpba.org

The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (PBA) is the largest police union representing police officers of the New York City Police Department.[2] It represents about 24,000 of the department's 36,000 officers.[3]

The PBA was originally called the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. On January 14, 2019, it changed its name to the gender-neutral Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York.[4]

History

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As a benevolent or fraternal organization, the New York City's Patrolmen's Benevolent Association was founded in 1894. In 1901, it advocated for and received 8-hour workdays.[5] In 1967, New York State passed the Taylor Law, which sets the rules for municipal union organization with regard to representation and bargaining. New York City set up the Office of Collective Bargaining for municipal union demands.[6]

Lindsay Administration

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The PBA was successful in its campaign to defeat Mayor John Lindsay's proposed Civilian Complaint Review Board in 1967.[5]

After a SBA (NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association) lawsuit which was expected to succeed failed, officers who had been expecting a favorable settlement began a wildcat strike.[7] This unplanned police strike of 1971 was in violation of the Taylor Act which prohibits police from engaging in job actions.[8][9] The PBA publicly disavowed the strike.[10]

In 1973, New York City began assigning female police officers to work street patrols. The association was opposed to the change, claiming women lacked the physical strength needed to back up male officers.[11]

Koch Administration

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In January 1978, Mayor Ed Koch prohibited city agencies from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Samuel DeMilia, then the president of the association, explained in an article in The New York Times that the order was "unworkable in the police department and can do more harm than good."[12]

Dinkins Administration

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Main article: Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Riot

In September 1992, the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association organized a rally of thousands of police officers who blocked the Brooklyn Bridge to protest police oversight proposed by Mayor David Dinkins. Other uniformed officers jumped over police barricades to rush City Hall. Some were openly drinking, damaging cars, and physically attacking journalists from The New York Times on the scene. On-duty officers did little to control the riot.[13][14][15]

Giuliani Administration

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The PBA's relations with Mayor Rudy Giuliani (mayoralty, 1994–2001) were marked by years of labor disputes.

In 1997, it led a campaign asking Giuliani not to attend the funerals of city officers killed on duty.[13]

The PBA urged members to resist the mayor's incentive pay initiative in 1998.[16] Additionally, in a five-year contract, officers were subject to a two-year freeze on salaries before seeing salaries increased 13 percent during the last years of the Giuliani tenure.[17]

During November 2007, in anticipation of the 2008 presidential election, PBA president Patrick Lynch criticized the relationship between Giuliani and the NYPD. He said that the union would not endorse Giuliani. He criticized the mayor on pay issues, saying, "The inability to keep veteran cops on the job or to recruit adequate numbers of new ones can be traced directly back to the Giuliani mayoralty." He added, "While the city was rolling in money, the Giuliani administration cried future poverty and stuck New York police officers with three and half years without a pay raise."[17] Lynch further asserted that "Rudy Giuliani has no real credentials as a terrorism fighter."[18]

September 11th

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Many officers perished at the Twin Towers during the September 11, 2001 attacks in Lower Manhattan. In the course of their work shifts, scores more were exposed to toxins—produced by the collapse of the Twin Towers during the rescue and recovery effort after the September 11, 2001 attacks at Ground Zero. Surviving first responders and their advocates are asserting that their illnesses resulted from exposure to toxins at Ground Zero.

The PBA filed a lawsuit to secure benefits for Officer Christopher Hynes (then aged 36). In March 2004, he was diagnosed as having sarcoidosis. Despite the diagnosis, the NYPD refused to grant line-of-duty injury status to him. Hynes had worked for a total of 111 hours at Ground Zero and its vicinity. He has claimed that he was never given a proper respirator for his work at Ground Zero. He has had difficulty in paying medical bills because of the denial of line-of-duty status. The PBA noted that firefighters, by contrast, have been given line-of-duty status for illnesses traced back to working at Ground Zero.[2][19]

de Blasio Administration

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Following NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio's election in 2013, running largely on a political campaign advocating for reform in publicly unpopular NYPD policies, including "Stop and Frisk", the PBA began actively organizing against de Blasio, accusing him of failing to support the NYPD, as these policies were heavily promoted by previous mayoral administrations to prevent violent crime. Prior to these policies being instated, the city was suffering from a crime epidemic which promoted the aggressive "Stop and Frisk" policy under the Bloomberg administration. This was a shift from a mildly successful movement towards community policing under the Giuliani administration. The PBA felt that their officers were being wrongly blamed for the failed change of policies by politicians, rather than being supported in transitioning to a new form of policing by the de Blasio administration.[13]

Following the killing of two NYPD officers in Brooklyn on December 20, 2014, in an execution-style shooting, the PBA's opposition to de Blasio reached an all-time high, with PBA President Patrick Lynch accusing Mayor de Blasio of having blood on his hands, and of encouraging violence against police and acting like the leader of a "f-ing revolution." Further, the PBA asked members to sign letters ordering the Mayor not to attend their funerals, should they perish in the line of duty. They felt that if the Mayor were to attend their funerals it would be out of political motivation rather than a sincere appreciation of their sacrifice to protect the citizens of New York City.[13][20] Lynch urged the police to stick close to the rules to protect themselves.[21]

Lynch's comments were much criticized by supporters of Mayor de Blasio.[22] Many feared Lynch's comments would further inflame the more radical elements of his opposition, serve to incite further acts of violence against the NYPD, and lead to further police abuses carried out as a result of the "wartime" posture.[23][24]

On January 31, 2017, the city and the union reached an agreement on a new contract. If ratified by the union members, the contract called for an 11% pay increase for police officers on the force and cuts to officers hired in the future.[25]

In March 2020 NYC Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot denied a New York Police Department (NYPD) request for 500,000 additional surgical masks in priority over other departments.[26] She told NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan during the heated dispute that "I don't give two rats' asses about your cops." The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York called for her to fired.[26] Barbot later apologized.[26]

Eric Garner's death

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PBA president Patrick Lynch blamed the killing of Eric Garner by policeman Daniel Pantaleo on Garner's resistance to arrest.[27][28] New York Police Department Administrative Judge Rosemarie Maldonado would eventually find that video evidence and autopsy results provided "'overwhelming'" evidence that Pantaleo had placed Garner in a chokehold. In her recommendation to the Commissioner, Judge Maldonado found that Pantaleo's "'use of a chokehold fell so far short of objective reasonableness that this tribunal found it to be reckless—a gross deviation from the standard of conduct established for a New York City police officer.'"[29]

Shake Shack incident

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In June 2020, three policemen from the Bronx were on duty because of civil unrest in Manhattan. They ordered milkshakes from a nearby Shake Shack using a phone app. They picked up their order, but became suspicious of how the milkshakes tasted. The manager apologized and gave them coupons for free food. The police officers left and later reported the incident. This led to an investigation that determined there was no foul play.[citation needed]

The Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch stated that the police officers had come "under attack" from a "toxic substance, believed to be bleach." The association later retracted their comments and deleted their online posts.[30]

Endorsement of Donald Trump

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On August 18, 2020, Lynch and the PBA endorsed Donald Trump for President in the 2020 United States presidential election.[31] Lynch appeared at the Republican National Convention to praise Trump.[32] Lynch had not conferred with the PBA before endorsing Trump on the union's behalf.[32]

Adams Administration

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After the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city employees was repealed, the PBA called for officers that were dismissed for noncompliance to be rehired and given back pay.[33] In April 2024, the PBA launched a lawsuit against the Adams administration for implementing a policy banning the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs by NYPD officers.[34]

PBA cards

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The PBA issues cards to its officers that read "The bearer of this card is a supporter of the PBA, and you should try to extend every courtesy possible."[35] Prior to 2018, officers were allowed to receive a maximum of thirty cards and retired officers a maximum of twenty; this has since been reduced to twenty and ten, respectively.[36] Sometimes referred to as "get out of jail free cards"[37] or "courtesy cards,"[38] they are officially given out as a "public relations tool" which do not provide immunity from arrest,[37] however citizens have claimed to use the cards to avoid punishment for offenses,[37][38] and an officer was demoted for ticketing a card holder.[39] Other New York City police unions also issue cards, including the Detectives Endowment Association and the Sergeants Benevolent Association.[38]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Moore, Tina; Cohen, Shawn; Gartland, Michael; Gonen, Yoav (January 31, 2017). "PBA, City Hall reach tentative labor agreement". New York Post. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Seifman, David (June 2, 2007). "PBA Sues to Boost 9/11 Air Victim". New York Post.
  3. ^ Rosenberg, Eli; Goldman, J. David (August 2, 2016). "An Addition to de Blasio's Morning Coffee and Workout: Protesting Police Officers". The New York Times. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  4. ^ Steier, Richard (January 14, 2019). "PBA Comes a Long Way, Finally Takes 'Men' Out of Name". The Chief. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Jones, Mark; Johnstone, Peter (2012). History of Criminal Justice. Routledge. p. 329. ISBN 9781317522461.
  6. ^ Bellush, Jewel; Netzer, Dick, eds. (1990). Urban Politics New York Style. New York University Press. p. 118.
  7. ^ BLUE FLU Cops on strike, December 1970 - January 1971 cHAPTER 384; by Jay Maeder, 25 June 2001, New York Daily News
  8. ^ "Effort Intensified to Settle Police Strike". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. January 18, 1971. Retrieved August 8, 2012. As 20,000 city patrolmen refused to man their posts for a fourth day, negotiators intensified efforts Sunday to settle the walkout, spurred by a warning from the commissioner that his skeleton police force can keep going for only a few more days.
  9. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (January 27, 1999). "Edward J. Kiernan, 77, President Who Strengthened Police Union". The New York Times.
  10. ^ "The Police Strike". NY Cop. Vol. 2, no. 6. June 2000.
  11. ^ Goldstein, Richard (May 13, 2015). "Gertrude Schimmel (Obituary)". The New York Times. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  12. ^ Weber, Bruce (May 17, 2015). "Sam Ciccone, a Champion of Gay Police Officers, Dies at 71". The New York Times. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d Voorhees, Josh (December 22, 2014). "Déjà Blue". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  14. ^ Manegold, Catherine S. (September 27, 1992). "Rally Puts Police Under New Scrutiny". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  15. ^ McKinley, James C. Jr. (September 17, 1992). "Officers Rally And Dinkins Is Their Target". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  16. ^ Allen, Mike (April 15, 1998). "P.B.A. Urges Officers to Refuse Giuliani's Incentive Raises". The New York Times.
  17. ^ a b Miller, Joshua Rhett (November 13, 2007). "Cop Union Blasts Rudy: No '08 Endorsement from the Finest, Boss Says". Metro. New York. p. 1.
  18. ^ Campanile, Carl (November 12, 2007). "COP RUNNETH OVER". New York Post.
  19. ^ "Police Union Sues City Seeking Compensation For 9/11 Responder". NY1. June 1, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  20. ^ Simon, Darran; Phillips, Ted (December 21, 2014). "PBA: 'Blood on many hands' including Bill de Blasio's, protestors'". Newsday.
  21. ^ Paybarah, Azi (December 18, 2014). "At private meeting, union head tells officers to use 'extreme discretion'". Capital New York. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014.
  22. ^ "Readers sound off on funerals, rhetoric and rest rooms". Daily News. New York. December 16, 2014.
  23. ^ Thrasher, Steven W. (December 21, 2014). "Two NYPD cops get killed and 'wartime' police blame the protesters. Have we learned nothing?". The Guardian.
  24. ^ Holpuch, Amanda; Woolf, Nicky (December 21, 2014). "Gunman murders two NYPD officers in Brooklyn before shooting himself". The Guardian. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  25. ^ Parascandola, Rocco; Durkin, Erin (January 31, 2017). "New York City reaches contract deal with largest police union". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  26. ^ a b c Russo, Melissa (May 14, 2020). "Calls for NYC Health Chief Oxiris Barbot to Resign After Rejecting NYPD PPE Request". NBC New York. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  27. ^ Mathias, Christopher (December 4, 2014). "Chokehold Cop Is 'Eagle Scout' Blameless In Eric Garner's Death, NYPD Union President Says". The Huffington Post.
  28. ^ Izadi, Elahe (December 4, 2014). "New York Mayor, police union officials clash after grand jury decision in Eric Garner's death". The Washington Post.
  29. ^ "NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo fired over 2014 Eric Garner chokehold death". CBS News. Associated Press. August 19, 2019. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  30. ^ McCarthy, Craig (June 22, 2020). "How conspiracy theories about the NYPD Shake Shack 'poisoning' blew up". New York Post. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  31. ^ Cheney-Rice, Zak (August 18, 2020). "The Inevitable Trump-Police Union Alliance". Intelligencer.
  32. ^ a b Perkins, Tom (June 23, 2020). "Revealed: police unions spend millions to influence policy in biggest US cities". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  33. ^ Westbrook, Elijah (February 10, 2023). "COVID vaccine mandate for New York City workers ends, unions pushing for back pay". CBS News New York. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  34. ^ Sommerfeldt, Chris (April 29, 2024). "NYPD union sues Adams administration over new 'zero tolerance' policy on steroid use among cops". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  35. ^ Weiss, Matthew (November 22, 2022). "What is a PBA Card and Will One Help Me Get Out of a Ticket?". Weiss & Associates, P.C. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  36. ^ Balsamini, Dean (January 21, 2018). "Police union slashes number of 'get out of jail free' cards issued". New York Post. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  37. ^ a b c "'Get out of jail free': Will this card get you off a speeding ticket?". BBC News. January 22, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  38. ^ a b c Way, Katie (September 2, 2020). "The Little Cards That Tell Police 'Let's Forget This Ever Happened'". Vice. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  39. ^ "Officer Demoted After Writing Traffic Tickets Gets $175,000 Settlement". The New York Times. September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
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