Following the shooting of two New York City police officers in Brooklyn, police unions criticized Mayor Bill de Blasio for resentment of the police.
Patrick Lynch, the president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, said that de Blasio was partially to blame for the shooting.
“There’s blood on many hands tonight. Those that incited violence on the streets under the guise of protest that tried to tear down what NYPD officers did every day. We tried to warn it must not go on, it cannot be tolerated,” Lynch said, according to CBS New York. “That blood on the hands starts at City Hall in the office of the mayor.”
“Those who allowed this to happen will be held accountable,” Lynch continued.
The Sergeants Benevolent Association echoed Lynch’s criticism of de Blasio.
The blood of 2 executed police officers is on the hands of Mayor de Blasio. May God bless their families and may they rest in peace.
— SBA (@SBANYPD) December 21, 2014
According to New York television station PIX 11, when de Blasio walked through Woodhull Hospital on Saturday for a press conference about the deaths of the two police officers, the officers in the hospital hallways turned their backs on the mayor.
A spokesman for de Blasio on Saturday said it was “irresponsible” for police unions to criticize the mayor over the deaths of police officers.
“It’s unfortunate that in a time of great tragedy, some would resort to irresponsible, overheated rhetoric that angers and divides people,” spokesman Phil Walzak said. “Mayor de Blasio understands this is the time when we must come together to support the families and friends of those brave officers New York City lost tonight — and the entire NYPD community.”
Police officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were shot in the head on Saturday while sitting in a patrol car in Brooklyn. The suspect, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, then shot himself in the head. On his social media accounts, Brinsley indicated that he was angry at the police over the death of Eric Garner.
