NYPD Commissioner: Chokehold Ban 'Discourages Officers From Policing'

It's almost as if the cops' hearts aren't in it unless they can murder someone with their bare hands.

The Wall Street Journal reports:

Shootings in New York City rose for the third weekend in a row, even as Mayor Bill de Blasio and police officials have sought to implement new programs to stop the violence. 

Between Friday and Sunday, the city had 22 shooting incidents with 24 victims, according to figures kept by the New York Police Department. There were five incidents and five victims during the same period a year earlier.

Mr. de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea on Friday introduced new tactics to curb violence, including deploying additional officers to areas where shootings have taken place, and increasing efforts to foster coordination between police and communities.

In a television appearance on Fox 5 New York on Monday, Mr. Shea said that NYPD morale is at a low point after weeks of large-scale protests over the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis. The demonstrations have called for changes to policing and defunding of the NYPD and other police departments.

In response to the protests, Mr. de Blasio signed a new law that criminalizes police use of chokeholds. Mr. Shea has said the law discourages officers from policing.

Morning Wood

Morning Wood

More HERE.

Morning Wood

They're so cute before they start murdering black people for no reason.

Page 1 Roundup (06/27)

The New York Post: Judge refuses to lower bail for Martin Shkreli

The Daily News: NYPD cop allegedly paid for sex acts while working undercover prostitution stings

The New York Times: Senate Health Bill in Peril as C.B.O. Predicts 22 Million More Uninsured

The Wall Street Journal: Who Pays on the First Date? No One Knows Anymore, and It’s Really Awkward

Best part: Amir Nobakht, a medical doctor in Los Angeles, said his guest on a recent date ordered two entrees—pasta to eat at the restaurant and a grilled fish to go.

'Twerk Cop' Michael Hance to Be Posthumously Honored by NYPD Gay Officers League

Just noticed that my post from March about the passing of Officer Michael Hance -- who became a instant LGBT favorite after a clip of him dancing with a marcher in the NYC Pride Parade went viral in 2015 -- was my blog's most viewed to date. So the timing couldn't be more perfect to report that Officer Hance will be honored this week for his outreach to the LGBT community.

The Daily News reports: 

It was the twerk seen round the world — a 12-second video clip of a straight NYPD cop dancing with a Pride Parade reveler that quickly became a shining example of the department’s ever-improving relationship with the city’s LGBT community. This Wednesday, that video will take center stage as the NYPD’s Gay Officers Action League posthumously honors the cop in that clip who recently died of a 9/11 related cancer. 

Police Officer Michael Hance’s family will be in attendance when GOAL acknowledges the fallen cop with their Ally Award for his impromptu dance as he stood a post during the city’s 2015 Pride Parade. The award will be given out at the 2017 NYPD Pride Celebration at 1 Police Plaza. 

“People look at what he did and say, ‘OK it’s a [short] clip’ — but that video was viewed nearly 10 million times,” said GOAL president Brian Downey. “We’re so appreciative of the attention that was drawn by this one act of kindness.”  

Aaron Santis was marching with the Big Apple Softball League, an LGBT sports group, when he started dancing in front of Hance. The Queens cop quickly joined in and began grooving to the Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop’ Til You Get Enough.” He then turned and started twerking while Santis was grinding behind him.  

The video has been viewed 8.5 million times and never fails to make me smile. The 44-year-old officer died of 9/11 related cancer in March, leaving behind behind daughters Kaitlyn, 12, and Jenna, 10. 

Free tickets and more information available HERE.

NYPD Officer Who Made Headlines for Twerking at Gay Pride Parade Dies of Sept. 11-Related Cancer

Sad to read about the passing of NYPD Officer Michael Hance, who raised eyebrows and made headlines in 2015 for twerking with a reveler at the city's Gay Pride parade. The Daily News reports that 17-year veteran of the NYPD, who worked the bucket brigade in the aftermath of the terror attack on the World Trade Center, died Sunday at 44 of cancer attributed to the tragedy. (Republicans claim to be the pro-cop party, yet fought tooth and nail against renewing the Zadroga Act, which helped pay for treatment for those who risked their lives on Sept. 11.)

 "He always liked to help people," his brother, Peter Hance, 45, told the Daily News. "He always liked to do good."

Hance, who worked out of the 111th Precinct in Bayside, Queens, was diagnosed with brain cancer in November after he fell in front of his home and complained of feeling dizzy, his brother said. As he fought the disease, the cancer spread to his lungs, liver and chest. Hance, who wasn't gay, uplifted the city's spirits two years ago when a cellphone video of him dancing on duty and in uniform with reveler Aaron Santis at the Manhattan pride parade to the Michael Jackson song "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" went viral. RIP.

The 13-second video has been viewed nearly 8 million times, said Paige Ponzeka, who recorded the unique New York moment.

What About Fuzz-on-Fuzz Friendship?

There's been a lot of depressing news in the world lately. But the NYPD's recruitment of Martin -- a 6-month-old stray tabby who has his own special wire baskets for napping, three food stations around the Coney Island precinct, plenty of toys. and a knack for sensing when cops need a little TLC -- has me smiling from ear to ear! Read HERE.

Helps reduce the sting of the death of Popo, the 33rd precinct's mascot who died in December.

NYPD Mascot Popo Dies at 11

Loving sendoff to one of the NYPD's felinest. 

We regret to announce the passing of 33 Pct member "POPO". A loyal friend and family member for 11 years. R.I.P. 2005-2016 🙏 pic.twitter.com/IMArueWAkQ

— NYPD 33rd Precinct (@NYPD33Pct) December 31, 2016

The Daily News has details: 

Cops in Washington Heights are mourning the loss of their precinct’s beloved cat — an 11-year-old orange-and-white tabby named “Popo.” The cat was euthanized after being diagnosed with stomach cancer and spending a week at a local vet, an NYPD spokeswoman said. Cops said Popo — slang for police officer — was found as an abandoned kitten outside the stationhouse. “The cops took him to the vet to have him checked out and he decided to hang around,” the spokeswoman said. “He used to come and go into the stationhouse as he pleased.” Popo was a fixture at the stationhouse on Amsterdam Ave. near W. 170th St. and would often be seen standing guard outside the door. In a slideshow tribute on the precinct’s Twitter page, Popo could be seen outside guarding the front door, lounging on a desk in the muster room and —the feline’s favorite spot — the wire baskets on the sergeant’s desk.

Hero Takes a Fall

What do you make of this bizarre story? A Bronx cop who was celebrating an award for heroism broke into a woman's apartment later that night in his boxers, punching her 20 times before wandering into her kitchen and drinking from a carton of milk in her fridge, before leaving. His lawyer is now saying he was sleepwalking -- not blindly drunk. But even if this is true, should it be a mitigating factor?

The Daily News writes:

"Our report shows that it wasn't an alcoholic blackout. It was sleepwalking," said lawyer Michael Marinaccio after Officer Eugene Donnelly appeared in Bronx Supreme Court, where he faces misdemeanor assault and burglary charges for the bizarre June 11, 2014, incident. Hours before the alleged attack, Donnelly shook hands with Mayor de Blasio at a ceremony at One Police Plaza, where he was awarded the Police Combat Cross — the NYPD's second-highest honor — for his bravery in arresting a gunman who fired at him in May 2012. After a night of drinking to celebrate, Donnelly then barged into a 30-year-old woman's Woodlawn apartment he had confused with a friend's place on the same floor, prosecutors say. The woman told police that the previously model cop, wearing just boxer shorts, pounced on her in her bed and punched her 20 times. He then allegedly wandered into her kitchen and drank from a carton of milk in her fridge, before scampering off.  

Marinaccio said a doctor he's hired has diagnosed the cop with post-traumatic stress disorder, and various sleep disorders, dating to the May 2012 shooting. "On the best day of this guy's life, he does something so out of character," said the attorney. "Can we at least consider the possibility that something else is going on here?"

Morning Wood

And Happy Labor Day!

'Anger Like That Is Unacceptable'

Cop who berated Uber driver is stripped of badge and gun 

Happy to read that that asshole cop I blogged about yesterday was placed on leave for his expletive-filled and xenophobic roadside rant. Chalk one up for accountability. 

'I Was Choked by the NYPD'

Apparently this is a problem that is not going away. Hear from the victim HERE.

NYPD Woo!

I love that they sent the cop from Central Casting to arrest Amanda Bynes!  Who do you find more believable, her or Joaquin Phoenix?

NYPD Boo

By now you've probably heard about Larry DePrimo, the young New York City police officer whose act of kindness -- buying a freezing homeless man a pair of shoes Skeechers -- has made him the toast of the town. Mayor Bloomberg is quick to point out that the men in blue perform selfless acts every day -- no doubt he's right -- but if you haven't heard Larry's story yet, it's still worth checking out HERE.