|
New Top Cop: Taking
On a Big Job
By JACK SHANAHAN
The new head of the Police Department
says the idea that New York City cops are heavy-handed and use
racial profiling is not a true picture of the force and that
the public is not told enough about the courage and valor officers
display every day.
Commissioner Bernard Kerik said he feels some of the perception
of the police is shaped by "naysayers and malcontents''
who are carrying out political or personal agendas.
"I think the perception is not the reality,'' said Kerik,
at the September 26th Newsmakers Breakfast meeting of The New
York Press Club.
 |
"I think there's a perception
out there based on a lot of people who get a lot of focus and
a lot of attention. They're politically motivated or have some
personal or political agenda,'' he said.
The commissioner declined to
comment on political activists by name, adding he wanted to work
with "the community leaders, real community leaders'' in
improving police interaction with people.
|
Kerik urged the press and broadcast media to tell more of the
heroism in the department such as was seen on Police Medal Day
on September 25th, when 37 cops received Combat Crosses and Medals
of Valor.
"It truly shows what cops
are about, what they do day-in and day-out,'' the former patrolman
and undercover narcotics officer said.
And, Kerik continued, the awards
were for actions in which cops of all races had helped defend
crime victims of different races or ethnic backgrounds.
He told the meeting at Ted Kheel's Carriage House that a recent
drop in police recruiting was not a phenomenon peculiar to New
York City.
"There are problems like this all over the country right
now,'' he said. "Recruiting civil servants in an economy
like we have in the United States today is becoming more difficult
and is something that's going to have to be addressed.''
Police morale here has been hit hard by three high-profile cases
of brutality, alleged racial profiling or overreaction in the
past three years.
The top cop, who previously was the city's corrections commissioner,
shook up the department's brass when he took his new post several
weeks ago.
Kerik, who originally comes from New Jersey, said in answer to
a question that he does not think cops should be required to
live in New York City.
"I've done okay. I was a
good cop,'' he said. "...I'm concerned (that) the men and
women on the Police Department be held accountable for what they
do ... enforcing the laws - all the laws, all the time.''
|