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peration Atlas is what the NYPD calls the effort to keep the city secure against terrorism during the War for Iraqi Freedom and its aftermath. For many New York City police officers it has meant grueling 12-hour shifts throughout the city. Our officers do it willingly, of course — this is war, and they will do what has to be done — but they also do it under-trained, under-equipped and under great stress. And they do it at a time when NYPD manpower is seriously diminishing, its budget is being cut and the homicide rate has begun to rise. Nevertheless, as the photographs that accompany this article help to demonstrate, our cops’ presence is visible and effective, at landmarks and checkpoints, strategic locations and other safety-sensitive sites. Our cops are Operation Atlas.

On March 19, the Department began issuing to our troops a $341 kit consisting of a gas mask and other protective gear to be used in the event of a chemical or biological attack. The mask, for one, is a pretty flimsy piece of equipment. On Feb. 24, I spoke at a press conference announcing the $4-million federal grant that paid for this gear and at that time we expected to be provided with the Millennium Biological-Chemical Gas Masks that are manufactured by a California company and retail for $258. Since then, I’ve been publicly urging the Department in newspaper and television interviews to give us the Millennium Masks. They cover every biological and chemical agent we face as first responders. They would allow us to protect ourselves and help civilian casualties at the same time. I have also been urging the feds to fund and the Department to provide more and better training in how to use the equipment and other ways to guard against and deal with terrorist attacks.

Another volatile issue the current home-front climate has confronted us with is the anti-war protest. Unfortunately, just for doing our jobs, we have had to endure unfounded claims by the New York Civil Liberties Union and other cop-bashers that some police officers used excessive force during the demonstrations. It’s not true, of course, but the charges come with the territory. In early April, I went on the air with a week-long radio ad campaign reminding New Yorkers what the truth was. An excerpt from the ad:

“During recent protests against the war in Iraq, some people attacked New York City police officers as if it were our fault that we had to go to war. We ask you to remember that police officers play a critical role in allowing the expression of free speech, one of our most cherished rights as Americans. The reason you are able to protest is because of the police officer who is protecting your right to free speech.”

Naturally, the PBA solidly backs the U.S. military in Iraq and we were very visible April 10 at Ground Zero when organized labor rallied in support of the troops. As I said in a speech that day, we sent a message to the world: You attack one of us, you attack all of us. And we attack back.

We have, in fact, never felt more solidarity than we do today with the U.S. servicemen and women serving in Iraq — and in Afghanistan, by the way, where they are still risking and losing their lives.  To remind people of that bond the PBA has put up four full-color billboards alongside various highways in the city. (Click here to see the reproduction.) Under the title, “Support Our Troops at Home and Abroad,” the billboard shows a New York City police officer on one side, defending New Yorkers against crime and terrorism, and a U.S. serviceman on the other side, fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The image is also appearing on some 100 telephone booths in upper Manhattan and the four outer boroughs.

Our message is simple: New York City police officers and the U.S. military have both sacrificed much to keep ordinary citizens safe from crime, war and terror. And both are dedicated to protecting and preserving basic freedoms — the military in the far corners of the globe and New York City police officers right here at home.