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For
February 6, 2002
Immediate Release |
Contact:
Joseph Mancini
212-298-9150 |

PBA President Patrick J. Lynch Calls on President
Bush To Help Secure Raise for NYC Police Officers
PBA President Patrick J. Lynch today appealed to President
George W. Bush to help maintain a strong New York City Police Department
by making sure its woefully underpaid police officers get the salary
increase they deserve.
"Just as the president in his State of the Union address
asked for a pay increase for our servicemen fighting terror overseas,
I am asking him to find a way to increase the salaries of New York
City police officers, who have been and will continue to be among
the very first responders in terrorist attacks against our nation,"
Lynch said in a statement.
In his remarks in New York City today, the president
voiced support for a raise for cops, Lynch pointed out.
Of the $37.7 billion for homeland security in the
president's budget, $3.5 billion is targeted for police and other
first responders, Lynch noted. This allocation could help fund police
pay increases, Lynch proposed.
"The city's officers are paid far less than their
colleagues across the country, creating a recruitment and retention
crisis of epic proportions," said Lynch, who represents more than
26,000 New York City cops. In neighboring Newark, Lynch pointed
out, officers are paid 22 percent more than in New York City.
"Our officers have performed amazingly well on Sept.
11, during the anthrax crisis and the World Economic Forum," he
said. "To maintain officers of this caliber, it is essential that
we provide recruits and experienced police officers with competitive
pay."
Lynch will be available for comment between 6 and 7:30 p.m.
at the reception for the president at the Sheraton Hotel &
Towers, 811 Seventh Ave.
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