The New York Police Department (NYPD) recently announced that they are preparing for a potential mass exodus over Mayor Bill de Blasio’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. According to the report, officers have issued several memos that police officers wish to retire rather than get jabbed. NYPD even announced that the NYC Police Pension Fund will process retirement paperwork for anyone with at least 20 years on the job, along with anyone who has less than 20 years due to the vaccination mandates.
Law enforcement officials must show documentation they have received at least one shot by the end of this week or be put on unpaid leave. At least 25% of NYPD employees remain unvaccinated, with the mandate also applying to firefighters, garbage collectors, and other city workers.
Police officers have criticized slammed the communications regarding retirement, noting that the memo was issued just four days before the requirement goes into effect. Some called it “comical” while others simply stated that it was all a mess.
The head of the Detective Endowment’s Association (DEA), President Paul DiGiacomo notes that 9,000 to 10,000 officers are eligible to retire early or “vest out,” meaning they could choose a lesser retirement package.
DiGiacomo adds that there was “no reason” to rush it out, adding that the mandate would have a devastating effect on public safety. He went on to say that the department could end up losing too many employees and that the mayor is rushing the mandates for his own political gain. He emphasized how DeBlasio’s intentions of running for governor have everything to do with having the most vaccinations in the country, even if it means forcing people into it.
Pat Lynch, President of the Police Benevolent Association Pat Lynch said the NY mandates are setting up the city for a real crisis and that a longer response time for communities could be a death sentence for some people. Ironically enough, Mayor de Blasio has insisted that the purpose of the vaccine mandate is to “keep people safe.”
De Blasio has gone on to say that until they “defeat COVID,” people are not safe. He warned that if they don’t stop COVID, then more New Yorkers will die. He did not mention how first responders had kept the general public safe throughout the pandemic, even before vaccines were available.
A Staten Island judge recently rejected the union’s request for a restraining order to temporarily block the mandate. The Judge ordered city officials to explain why the requirement shouldn’t be reversed and if the mandate is deemed illegal.
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