Peter King: Cops Turning Backs to de Blasio Creates ‘Sympathy’ for Him
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) said police officers should not have turned their backs to Bill de Blasio because it creates “sympathy” for the embattled New York City mayor.
“I wouldn’t have done it,” King said Tuesday on WABC. “But I think they’ve made their points. I understand why they did it, but I don’t want it to be creating sympathy for de Blasio either.”
King added it is important for the mayor to sit down with NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton and union leaders like Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, to make it clear — “not just as a matter of etiquette” — that he stands with the police officers. He also said the “police methods are working very well,” and that the real changes should come not from the police community, but should start with attitudes of leaders of the African-American and minority communities.
“Al Sharpton can’t be that leader,” King said.
On Tuesday, de Blasio is meeting with police union heads in an attempt to repair his relationship with the NYPD. On two separate occasions, officers turned their backs to de Blasio while he was speaking at a press conference and at a memorial service for slain Officer Rafael Ramos. He was also heckled which speaking at an NYPD graduation ceremony.
Listen to the audio below, via WABC:
[h/t Andrew Kaczynski/BuzzFeed]
[Image via screengrab/Twitter]
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