Help cops fight violent perps: union

Trucks promoting a police union's new program to pay out $500 to bystanders who step in and help officers arrest violent suspects are mobilizing throughout the five boroughs starting Wednesday, despite the NYPD's objection to the program.

The Sergeants Benevolent Association dispatched trucks equipped with video screens displaying messages like “Attacks on police are attacks on all of us” and “Put your camera down and become a good Samaritan.”

The NYPD's official stance is that bystanders should keep out of the way of police activity.

“The NYPD encourages people to support their cops by calling 911,” a police spokesman said. “The department doesn't want to see people put in harm's way unnecessarily to collect a reward.”

Starting Wednesday city, state and federal law enforcement officers who get help from a bystander can fill out a form online that will then be reviewed by the union. Following approval, the bold civilians will receive a check from the union for $500.

Sergeants Benevolent Association President Ed Mullins hopes that the reward will encourage bystanders filming on their phones to instead step in and help end altercations before they get out of hand.