I am sorry to post something off-topic, I really do try to avoid such things but at times things strike close to home and force me to speak out.
Officer Down
Today the New York Times ran an article titled: Benefits Denied for Officers’ Kin, Stirring Criticism. This whole story started back in March 2007 when two Auxiliary Police Officers were gunned down in the East Village (Manhattan) by a an insane gunman who was fleeing from regular police after shooting to death another person right before encountering the auxiliary officers.
The NYT story points out a decision now reached by Department of Justice that says the officers families do not deserve Federal Death Benefits as they were not "real officers" who "had arrest powers beyond those already provided to citizens".
This decision infuriates me. The only reason this definition gap even exists is because New York City is afraid to give Auxiliary Officers real titles within the NYPD. My theory is doing so would probably cost them money and open the city up to even more lawsuits if the under-trained officers make mistakes on duty. (levels of training being again the cities fault!)
These two young souls gave up their lives to protect their community, for FREE. Yes, they were not paid, they got nothing for it, they merely walked their neighborhood in a young and idealistic way that many others still do today.
For me my its not about the money, but its about the respect. How can the Department of Justice raise their noses and narrowly abide by a definition of who qualifies for a taxpayer funded money pot that is intended for those killed in the line of duty. No matter what the definition these Auxiliary Officers were in the "line of duty" and deserve every right and respect provided to other offices who all fell while trying to keep us all safe.
To me, this matters
This is all very close to my as I was an Auxiliary Police Officer for six years and resigned only in 2007 at the rank of Sergeant. I quit the program for various reasons but many of them revolve around very similar situations that make the program a really hard place to commit to.
I really hope the pending appeal reverses this decision and have to praise the police commission for standing up on the fallen officers behalf. I just really hope some justice can be brought to an already bad situation.
My friends in Uniform, stay safe.
2 comments:
There's a certain injustice about what you have described to me over and over again in the past.
I was ready to sign up at one point. I was spoken down to in a very disrespectful manner. They were not even pretending to be nice during the recruitment / honeymoon period. I saw the writing on the wall and never looked back.
In a fair world, those who selflessly volunteer should be held in a higher regard than those who earn a living in the field. As a taxpayer and resident of an area served by auxillary police, I am pleased that they are protecting the community and our tax dollars.
As a member of the community, I thank you and others like you for your years of service.
Thanks Keith, your probably one of the few people that really understand where i am coming from,
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