Maxi & mini force
DeB's mixed signals to cop cadets
Mayor de Blasio sent mixed messages on Thursday when he said after the Police Academy swearingin ceremony that cops can use “maximum force when necessary” — but the officers will all be trained to use “the least possible force” on the job.
“We need to keep the city safe, we are all supposed to be effective. A lot of times that can be done with less force,” de Blasio told reporters after the 678 recruits were sworn in.
“That’s what is being trained here — to use all the various tools that an officer has, all the different options, to figure out how to get the job done with the least possible force. It never precludes using maximum force when necessary.”
A short time earlier, de Blasio gave the oath to a class of new recruits that is only 12.5 percent AfricanAmerican — far short of the 23 percent Hizzoner demanded earlier this year.
But during his remarks at the Police Academy ceremony, de Blasio instead chose to focus on the fact that 32 percent of the recruits are Hispanic.
“We have hired the highest percentage of Latinos of any NYPD class in history — almost a third — 32 percent. So a lot happening that suggests real change, real reform and the ability to reach our communities more effectively than ever before,” de Blasio said.
The new class is also 46 percent white, 9 percent Asian and the average age is 26. While 59 percent of the recruits are from the city, 22 percent are foreignborn and speak a combined 22 languages.
De Blasio’s comments on use of force come a week after the NYPD announced an overhaul that mandates cops to document every instance in which they have physical contact with a suspect.
After a report is made, it will be determined whether the officer did anything wrong — and, if so, he or she could face discipline ranging from the loss of vacation days to dismissal, a source said.
That’sT what is being trained here . . . to figure out how to get the job done with the least possible force. It never precludes usingu maximum force when necessary.
— Mayorde Blasio