| Releases & Statements
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and
Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch
called for increased enforcement and stiffer penalties, including
fines and jail time, for anyone selling police uniforms and emblems
to non-police personnel or anyone impersonating a police officer.
They also demanded that Internet retailers such as E-Bay immediately
remove any official NYPD insignia, uniforms, or equipment from
their sites.
“Because of the current threats
we face, protecting New Yorkers is an especially difficult and
complicated task," Gotbaum said. “The availability
of replica police uniforms, shields, and equipment makes the jobs
of real cops more difficult. We cannot afford to risk lives by
allowing the general public access to police uniforms complete
with badges and patches.”
PBA President Patrick J. Lynch said:
"The critical part of any uniform is the insignia that identifies
a police officer and his or her department. Immediate steps must
be taken to ensure that uniform patches and police shields are
available only to sworn members of the NYPD who provide an active
police identification card issued by the department. We support
Public Advocate Gotbaum's call for stronger enforcement and weightier
penalties for the safety of the public and police officers alike."
Gotbaum will introduce legislation
into the City Council to increase penalties for unlawful use of
police uniforms or emblems. Current City law prescribes a fine
not to exceed $100 and/or not more than 60 days imprisonment.
The penalty is at least 20 years old, but may date back to 1939.
Gotbaum will also call on the State to increase penalties for
the sale of any part of a police uniform. Currently, under state
law, selling any part of a police uniform is only considered a
misdemeanor. “In a post- 9-11 world, the City and State
must have punishments that fit the crime.”
Gotbaum noted that police impersonation
is a serious crime and that it is difficult for law-abiding citizens
to detect an imposter, as evidenced by recent events on Long Island.
She warned that a rash of bogus cops could pose a security threat
or lead to a surge in crime. Referring to a New York Post investigation,
Gotbaum added, “We read over the weekend just how easy it
is for anyone to walk off the street into an equipment shop or
go on the Internet and purchase a replica police officer uniform.
This makes all New Yorkers vulnerable. It must be stopped.”
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