To All Delegates and Members

July 26, 2001

WASHINGTON D.C. DETAIL

On July 20, 2001, the Department issued a Finest message announcing the possibility of the NYPD sending 1,000 officers to Washington D.C. for the annual World Bank/International Fund Meeting on September 29, 30 and October 1-3, 2001.  In connection with that event, the Department is seeking volunteers for the proposed assignment.

The PBA has serious reservations about police officers volunteering for the Washington D.C. event.  The PBA’s concerns are numerous and include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Indemnification issues
  • Officer safety (e.g., protective equipment, radios)
  • Line of duty injuries/deaths
  • Use of force guidelines (i.e., substantive differences between NYPD guidelines and Federal guidelines)
  • Investigation and prosecution of civilian complaints
  • Supervision and disciplinary matters
  • Interrogation of Members (i.e., potential violations of the Bill of Rights Section of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) and NYPD Patrol Guide Procedures — i.e., the 48-Hour Rule and the right to union representation)
  • Night shift differential payments
  • Hours and overtime issues, including Portal-to-Portal compensation
  • Substantive differences between the laws of the State of New York and Federal law

In view of the past actions of the professional agitators who participated in protest rallies at previous meetings of the World Bank/International Fund held in other locations around the world, there is a clear and present danger to officers’ safety.  For all of the foregoing reasons, we strongly urge that no police officer volunteer for the event.  Rather than giving police officers overtime opportunities out-of-state, the NYPD can recognize police officers’ tremendous achievements by paying them a living wage.  Charity begins at home.

Fraternally,

Patrick J. Lynch
President