- A NYPD officer has publicly mocked a new police training video on arrest tactics in a social media post
- It comes after new laws making chokeholds a felony, and standing or sitting on a detainee a misdemeanour offence, were introduced in New York following the alleged murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police
- Meanwhile, the New York City Mayor slashed funding to police departments in the area by around $1 billion
- Bill de Blasio’s decision came after Black Lives Matter (BLM) protestors criticised police’s handling of their rallies, held after Floyd’s death
- But U.S. President Donald Trump has condemned the $1 billion police budget reduction and attacked the NYC Mayor
A New York City police officer has slammed the department’s new position on dealing with arrestees, introduced as a result of the wider Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.
The mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, also slashed around $1 billion from the police department budget, following pushback from protestors over officer’s handling of their rallies.
Change in rules
NYPD officers have been advised in a training video, not to sit-on, choke or kneel on suspects, as the acts are now illegal and carry punishment.
The use of chokeholds has been banned in the city for years, however, the new laws now make the tactic a felony offence. Those caught standing, kneeling or sitting on suspects could face misdemeanour charges.
Both changes were introduced last month, following the alleged murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020. Floyd died after an officer kneeled on his neck for more than seven minutes.
However, a police officer within the New York precinct has taken issue with the changes, mocking the new rules in a video posted to Twitter, by an account which monitors police news.
NYPD Officer blasts new position of NYPD in dealing with criminals. #BlueLivesMatters #DefundDeblasio pic.twitter.com/AX3SgYia5A
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) July 5, 2020
The officer’s criticism of the new tactics also comes just days after the Mayor of New York City announced he would reduce police funding by $1 billion.
Bill de Blasio was spurred into action after protestors converged on City Hall, calling for police defunding.
The protestors were angry at the actions of some officers during recent BLM protests, which began following Floyd’s alleged murder.
Among the incidents protestors objected to, was where an NYPD officer was caught allegedly ramming BLM protestors.
“NY’s Finest”. Disgusting. #BlackLivesMatter #riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFlyod pic.twitter.com/GP5vcXRlqy
— Marco (@chieffymac11) May 31, 2020
Following the criticism of some officer’s response to the protests, Mayor de Blasio outlined his reduction in funding, during a budget announcement on July 1.
The biggest takeaway was a $1 billion shift from police budgets in 2021, which will reduce the number of new officers by 1,163.
The city will also shift school safety and homeless outreach funding away from police and back to community organisations.
Speaking on the funding reduction, Mayor de Blasio said the exact details were still being worked out among the council.
“We think it’s the right thing to do. It will take work. It will take effort and we’re going to be reforming that work in the meantime,” he said.
The Mayor’s funding reduction is also linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, which crippled the amount of revenue generated in New York City, prompting cost-cutting measures to be adopted.
Presidential rebuke
However, the NYC Mayor’s funding reduction announcement wasn’t popular with everyone, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticised the move on social media.
NYC is cutting Police $’s by ONE BILLION DOLLARS, and yet the @NYCMayor is going to paint a big, expensive, yellow Black Lives Matter sign on Fifth Avenue, denigrating this luxury Avenue. This will further antagonize New York’s Finest, who LOVE New York & vividly remember the….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2020
Mayor de Blasio responded and accused President Trump of being racist.
“Here’s what you don’t understand: Black people BUILT Fifth Ave and so much of this nation. Your “luxury” came from THEIR labour, for which they have never been justly compensated. We are honouring them. The fact that you see it as denigrating your street is the definition of racism,” he said in a tweet.
“You also don’t know that NY’s Finest are now a majority people of colour. They already know Black Lives Matter. There is no “symbol of hate” here. Just a commitment to truth. Only in your mind could an affirmation of people’s value be a scary thing,” he added.
NYPD officers caught choking detainees, or sitting, standing or kneeling on them, will face punishments of up to one year in jail.
Meanwhile, New York City officials continue to work out how policing will change following the funding reduction.