Poll Shows NYPD Morale At Historic Low, Blames De Blasio
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A new survey has revealed a historic low morale within the NYPD, and has drawn great concern.
As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council have gotten the blame.
The New York Patrolmen's Benevolent Association said the formula to improve the NYPD's rock bottom morale is simple.
"Treat us like professionals. Defend us as professionals. Pay us as professionals, and then morale will go up," said PBA President Pat Lynch.
The PBA surveyed 6,004 members. A total of 96 percent said the relationship between the public and the NYPD has worsened in the last two years, and the leading causes they cited were salary, personal safety concerns, and the mayor's lack of support.
A total of 95 percent blamed the de Blasio administration for an environment they called "combative towards police."
De Blasio reacted to the survey on Monday.
"I don't put a lot of stock in that survey," de Blasio said. "A lot of what I hear from the PBA is complaints."
Lynch in turn dismissed de Blasio's remarks.
"That's just an easy shoot-from-the-hip response, 'Well, they're always complaining,'" Lynch said. "We did it this way to say, well, it's not just a union leader on a soapbox on the steps of City Hall. It's our members speaking. We feel unsafe. We feel underappreciated. We're underpaid."
A total of 64 percent of respondents are favorable toward police Commissioner Bill Bratton, with half saying he represents the best interests of the rank and file despite his differing opinion from them on de Blasio.
"I don't share that opinion at all," Bratton said. "This mayor's done a phenomenal job supporting this police department."
The PBA leadership said they hope the survey leads to productive dialogue.
