de Blasio Heckled At Police Graduation
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio was heckled as he stood on state at a New York Police Academy graduation ceremony.
[su_center_ad]
[su_thin_right_skyscraper_ad]The 884 new police officers sat stoically in their seats when de Blasio was introduced to speak and many in the audience tepidly cheered. But boos could be heard from some in the crowd in the seats reserved for cadets’ family and friends.
About a dozen or so people in the stands stood with their backs turned to de Blasio, emulating the searing pose of disrespect that hundreds of officers struck at Officer Rafael Ramos’ funeral on Saturday. Some appeared to be in uniform but it was unclear if they were members of the New York Police Department.
De Blasio, a Democrat elected last year on the promises of keeping crime low while reforming the NYPD, effusively praised the new officers.
“It takes a special kind of person to put their lives on the line for others – to stare down the danger,” he said. “Because that’s what you will do. You will stare down the danger. You will keep the peace.”
He continued: “You will confront all the problems that plague our society – problems that you didn’t create.”
But as he drew a breath to continue, a shout could be heard from the crowd: “You did!”
That heckle was met with laughter and some applause from the crowd and briefly flustered de Blasio, who had been speaking at a quicker-than-normal pace, seemingly to eliminate any pauses that could have been filled with boos.
But he continued praising the officers and received polite applause when he finished speaking, though the cheers were not as loud as the ones that followed for Police Commissioner William Bratton. The ceremony also included several tributes to the fallen officers, Ramos and Wenjian Liu.
Budda December 29th, 2014 at 6:13 pm
Finally got my new iPad to work!
Petty people, filled with ignorance.
Belated merry Christmas to all
Jake December 29th, 2014 at 6:25 pm
If these thugs can’t respect the elected mayor of New York – how on earth can they be trusted to uphold the law. Time for a major re-think of their over-generous compensation package, their lavish pensions and ridiculously short working life. They are more like little spoilt princes than real men and women – for instance our magnificent firefighters.
mea_mark December 29th, 2014 at 6:47 pm
If they are going to heckle the leadership, they shouldn’t be hired to begin with, they’re aren’t mentally, emotionally fit for duty to serve.
Alice Reid December 29th, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Amen to that!
KABoink_after_wingnut_hacker December 29th, 2014 at 7:11 pm
“They’re aren’t mentally, emotionally fit for duty to serve”.
Well said, and I would add that the citizens of New York deserve much better than having these insubordinate ignorant bigots roaming the streets with guns and badges.
granpa.usthai December 29th, 2014 at 9:20 pm
nothing wrong with firing them on the spot NOW for conduct unbecoming of an Officer.
Imagine what some of the new cadet officers would be thinking if they hadn’t been warned before hand that some of the WHITE RACIST would be out to intimidate them. Hopefully, if the State of New York doesn’t want to keep them from being bullied by Bundy’s Reich type WHITE RACIST hiding behind badges, the Fed’s will. Nothing wrong with running a sting operation to route the Nazi infiltrators out – just so long as they don’t shrug their shoulders like in Nevada and walk away.
Alice Reid December 29th, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Wish I could like what you said 10 times!!!
granpa.usthai December 29th, 2014 at 9:13 pm
hope the like helped, 1 more and your wish comes true!
burqa December 29th, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Do you think the two who were assassinated were overpaid for their “ridiculously short working life”?
Jake December 30th, 2014 at 7:41 pm
The circumstances surrounding their deaths were genuinely tragic – stirred up by hotheads on both sides – but I would not include De Blasio among them (their main problem with him seems to be his black wife and children) but by using a memorial service to promote extreme right-wing Republican party political views, and reducing their deaths to an opportunity to spout race hatred (I’m talking to you Giuliani), their fellow officers and politicized supporters are not showing them even the slightest respect. One wonders if their concern and solidarity is nothing more than macho tough-guy posturing and political opportunism of the most vile nature.
William December 29th, 2014 at 6:44 pm
I expected no less when one considers the conduct they displayed at the funeral of the two slain officers.
granpa.usthai December 29th, 2014 at 9:22 pm
yep.
Same MO
Same results.
greenfloyd December 29th, 2014 at 9:38 pm
If it’s an insurrection, I wonder how widespread it is among the rank and file?
Some people suggest it is motivated by lack of a contract between the city and NYPD union, posturing for a better deal!?
tracey marie December 29th, 2014 at 7:16 pm
Fire them before they may start a career based on racism, entitlement and the inability to behave as responsible adults
granpa.usthai December 29th, 2014 at 9:11 pm
yippiee ki yay,
Bundy’s WHITE RACIST Republiklan teabaggers show infiltration of NYC’s Finest.
but their ‘peer’pressure bullying had NO EFFECT on the newest to join the family.
good for them!
now you know you have WHITE RACIST destroying the image and performance of the Officers within their own ranks. Hunt ’em down and throw their asses out in the street WITHOUT their coveted badge cover.
Bunya December 29th, 2014 at 10:11 pm
IMO, That was hugely inappropriate and disrespectful. If an officer has a problem with the mayor, he doesn’t have to work for him.
arc99 December 29th, 2014 at 11:01 pm
he is the elected mayor of New York City.
his presence at the graduation was more than appropriate.
if he had failed to attend the ceremony, assbag critics of the mayor would be condemning him for not attending.
rg9rts December 30th, 2014 at 10:30 am
Bottom line is…you respect the office if not the man
burqa December 29th, 2014 at 10:57 pm
The older I get, the more I find hecklers tiresome, especially at an event like a graduation…..
Snick1946 December 29th, 2014 at 11:26 pm
I also wonder how far this is going to go- it shows no sign of moderating. This looks like insurrection. Like him or not, NYPD officers are supposed to be under civilian control and that means their mayor is due at least token respect. If they keep up their hissey fits maybe some of them need to face disciplinary charges.
One other thing I hate to mention but- I hope the mayor has taken precautions for his safety and especially for that of his son. I can envision Dante being hounded by thug cops.
rg9rts December 30th, 2014 at 10:28 am
Till after the PBA elections…that nazi wannabe Lynch wants to keep his job.. He’s still pissed that de Blasio told his black son to be careful in dealing with the police..
rg9rts December 30th, 2014 at 10:26 am
That behavior says a lot about the tradition of self entitlement for the NYPD….they respect no one , not themselves nor their dead