Pittsburgh Police Chief Under Fire For Controversial Photo, Union Says Calls Department Racists

Press Release from President Neri
December 23, 2014

Editor:

As police officers, we know that we can never predict what will happen when we put on our uniform each day. This simple fact was made very apparent with the brutal execution of two New York City police officers this past weekend. It was a scene that hit close to home for Pennsylvanians who continue to mourn the death and injury of our officers recently attacked at their own barracks in Blooming Grove.

Sadly, we were reminded again of the evil that exists in this world through events like these. Now more than ever, we need to rally around our brave men and women in uniform.

It's the job of all police officers to rush into danger to help those in need, regardless of personal risk, and they fully accept that risk every day. They face the worst criminals imaginable, and all too often those criminals use violence against police officers.

Nationally, 114 police officers have been killed in the line of duty this year alone. Four right here in Pennsylvania.

Each of these courageous officers from Pennsylvania and New York took a solemn oath to protect and serve their fellow citizens – an oath they honored by giving their last full measure of devotion to fulfill it. Let us always remember our fallen brothers as heroic and humble public servants who laid down their lives to serve and protect us all.

Les Neri, President

FOP, PA State Lodge

STATEMENT OF CHUCK CANTERBURY, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
DECEMBER 21,2014

Yesterday, NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were murdered in New York City by a coward who invoked race as a motive.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Politicians have spent the months since the tragedy in Ferguson piously wringing their hands and bemoaning the lack of trust of police by the minority community. Mayors and Congressmen and Senators and professional racists from all sides have seized on the moment to advance their often self serving opinions of what is wrong in America as a hyperventilating media nods knowingly and faithfully reports each and every word. Enough is enough.

While these politicians and their retinues ignore the decaying infrastructure of our cities, the substandard educational system, the nonexistent families, the poor nutrition, the lack of employment opportunities- all of which create a toxic environment which breeds crime- they focus with laser vision on every real or perceived mistake made by the cops fighting a running battle to keep the streets safe for our poorest and most disadvantaged citizens in our country's worst pockets.

Enough is enough. There's nothing wrong with the way cops do their jobs that won't be fixed when politicians suck it up and attack the problems that breed poverty and crime- but they're not going to do that. The media professes shock when we speak out - well, buckle them on America- you're going to hear a lot from our 325,000 members in the days and months ahead. Some of you may not like it, but you would do well to listen. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

http://www.pafop.org/