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The PBA says department policy is to blame for the 21 escapes so far this year. Union leaders point out that officers often escort multiple prisoners, and that they don't have adequate equipment to retrain their prisoners. The police commissioner called on all officers Thursday to take responsibility for their prisoners. Now, a day later, the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association president hit back, insisting the commissioner has no one to blame for the recent spate of escapes but himself. Union leaders say it happens all day, every day: A New York City police officer escorting a prisoner, alone. Union leaders say in some cases the officer has to escort the prisoner, or prisoners, for an entire city block. John Giangrasso, PBA: "We have city cops walking two and three prisoners by themselves, not on chains, individually cuffed, down the street." Patrick Lynch, PBA President: "To blame the individual police officer is scapegoating that police officer." At a news conference Friday afternoon, PBA President Patrick Lynch defended the rank and file officers, blaming the latest 'epidemic' of escapes on a manpower shortage and inadequate custody procedures." Lynch: "It is not unusual for a civilian wagon operator to pull up to central booking with two police officers and 19 or 20 prisoners. If one prisoner escapes, the police officer has to make a split second decision, whether to go after that one escaping prisoner or secure the other 19 that are left." Friday's comments by Lynch come one day after the NYPD's commissioner put all officers on notice. Commissioner Ray Kelly, NYPD (July 11, 2002): "At the end of the day, each officer has to take responsibility for his or her own prisoner or prisoners. When they fail, we stand ready to take the appropriate action." Lynch: "It's not their fault. If they don't have the equipment or the assistance they need, how can you blame that individual police officer." Late Friday afternoon the commissioner hit back. While he did admit that facilities could be better, Kelly insisted that officers need to do more. Commissioner Kelly: "Some of the escapes are as a result of inattention on the part of officers." Commissioner Kelly reminded reporters Friday that the number of escapes so far this year is roughly the same as it was last year at this time. Still, this issue has clearly taken on a life of it's own. To recap, three of the 21 prisoners who have escaped NYPD custody this year remain at large.
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