Police Commissioner James O'Neill says he's not worried about cops slowing down to calls for help during the Labor Day weekend or at West Indian Day Parade events which have had issues with violence in the past. He says officers will do their jobs.
"They are going to do that all throughout this weekend. They are going to keep people in Brooklyn safe, they are going to keep people in the other four boroughs safe too. This is what they get paid to do," said O’Neill.
Police union president Patrick Lynch has suggested officers don't rush into to make arrests especially if they have to use force. This was in response to the commissioner firing Daniel Pantaleo this month for placing Eric Garner in a banned chokehold. Union delegates also voted no confidence in the commissioner this past week saying he should resign.
"I have a lot of respect for Pattie, he’s thinking what he needs to do for his membership, I don’t agree with him. We have to continue to put pressure on the people who are out there driving the crime and violence,” said O’Neill.
So far this year, shootings are up compared to last year at the same time, but murders are down.
In the week after Pantaleo was terminated, the NYPD says there was a reduction in summonses and misdemeanor arrests.
But they said felony crimes were being handled.
At a promotions ceremony, O'Neill praised cops moving up the ranks and reminded them they have a tough job.
“That work certainly isn’t easy. Especially in the most scrutinized police department in the world. No matter what you must not ever forget what you are out there to do. Is to fight crime and keep people safe.”
There's been a lot of talk about police commissioner O'Neill resigning because of all of the pressure. But, he says he's not going anywhere.
“Why would I walk away? Look at where we are in New York City in 2019. Look at how much has been accomplished over the last 5, 10, 15 20, 30 years. Why would I walk away from this? This is not something that you walk away from,” O’Neill said.
But there have been rumors inside the police department, if a higher paying jobs rolls around, O'Neill would jump at it.
"If the time comes when I do have to leave then that time is out there at some point but certainly not now,” O’Neill added.