#NYPD sergeants union boss backs Trump’s police reforms order

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Ed Mullins, President of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association

William Farrington

The head of the NYPD’s sergeants union on Tuesday praised President Trump’s executive order calling for policing reforms and support for law enforcement in the wake of George Floyd’s killing and the protests it ignited.

“President Donald Trump has made clear that he respects and appreciates the work of America’s law enforcement officers to serve as the guardians of freedom and protectors of the rights that we all hold dear. But as today’s Executive Order notes, there have been ‘limited but impactful’ instances that have strained relationships between law enforcement and the communities we serve, and undermined trust vital to keeping our communities safe,” Sergeants Benevolent Association President Ed Mullins said in a statement.

Mullins then decried Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis cops on May 25, when the victim said “I can’t breathe” and called for his mother as a cop knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

“The horrific death of Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis is still fresh in our collective consciousness, and we join his family and friends in their grief. We are committed to making this tragedy a catalyst for positive change that improves policing in America,” Mullins said.

“The Sergeant’s Benevolent Association of the New York City Police Department commends President Trump’s Executive Order providing a framework for the discussions and deliberations our nation must have to realize this goal. The SBA supports the President’s call for improving police practices and policies through stronger certification requirements and accreditation,” he continued.

He again ripped NYPSD brass and Mayor Bill de Blasio, without naming him, for their handling of riots in the Big Apple.

“Over the past several weeks, multiple failures in leadership and accountability by management of the NYPD and city officials have harmed both our city and rank-and-file officers. We are hopeful that thorough accreditation as set forth in today’s Executive Order the NYPD will begin the urgent and overdue necessity of addressing such shortcomings within the department and city government,” Mullins asserted.

He said the SBA backs Trump’s call for more training, especially for dealing with the homeless, drug addicts and others with mental health issues.

“For too long cities have declined to adequately fund social services to address people facing such issues and shifted responsibility for them to police officers, who do not receive the training necessary to help these individuals in crisis,” he said.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the President, Attorney General Barr, and responsible leaders in Congress and communities across America to bring forth positive change from a tragic and horrific loss of life,” Mullins concluded.

Trump earlier Tuesday signed an executive order that will create a system for tracking police misconduct, ban most chokeholds, incentivize officer training and send social workers on some nonviolent police calls as Americans across the nation call for stringent police reforms.