#NYPD backs down from bust of cop-assault suspect — on Dermot Shea’s order

NYPD officers engaged in an hours-long stalemate with a cop-assault suspect Friday in Hell’s Kitchen — before Police Commissioner Dermot Shea ordered them to retreat as a stream of protesters arrived on the scene, law-enforcement sources told The Post.

The top cop’s directive to give up — without the suspect in custody — left some NYPD insiders fuming, given the city’s recent concessions to unruly protesters.

“Another example of mob rules,” an NYPD insider said.

Police massed on West 45th Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenue around 7 a.m. Friday to try to bring in the young protest organizer, who is accused of screaming through a bullhorn into the ear of a cop at a recent demonstration, leaving her with hearing damage, sources said.

Dozens of cops, some dressed in tactical gear, flooded the scene but couldn’t actually enter the protester’s apartment because they didn’t have a warrant, sources said.

While refusing to come out, the suspect began live-streaming the battle of wills online, sending fellow protesters racing to the scene.

Over the course of about six tense hours, the crowd grew to nearly 100 protesters, chanting anti-NYPD slogans from behind police tape, video footage of the stand-off shows.

“The police should be aware by now of the need to de-escalate situations like this rather than show up to try to arrest a single individual using dozens of officers and not even have a warrant in hand,” said state Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), who represents the area, to The Post. “It’s a misapplication of resources.”

Hoylman’s team learned of the showdown and reached out to City Hall around 12:20 p.m., the lawmaker said.

Within about an hour, the cops rolled out empty-handed — after Shea called a department supervisor and ordered the Finest to turn tail, according to multiple sources.

Cops also received assurances that the suspect would later turn himself in with a lawyer at a police station house, but it did not immediately appear that he has held up his end.

“The NYPD was attempting to make an apprehension for assault on a police officer,” an NYPD spokeswoman said. “At this time, the investigation is active and ongoing.”

The spokeswoman did not respond to a question about Shea’s role.

But police sources had plenty to say about the order to back down.

“Today’s action encourages resisting arrest,” a source said. “That is not good for anyone: Cops, civilians, and the people being arrested.”

A City Hall spokesman confirmed that the matter was discussed with police officials but couldn’t immediately provide any additional details.

Massive, sometimes violent protests roiled the city beginning in late May, sparked by the police-custody death of Minneapolis man George Floyd.

The demonstrations have since grown more sporadic and less tense, but still occasionally feature clashes with police.