Ray Kelly: Violent crime will rise if stop and frisk isn't allowed

If stop and frisk is repealed, violent crime in the city will rise, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Sunday in a media blitz that landed him on three morning news shows blasting a court decision last week that struck down stop and frisk.

"No question about it, violent crime will go up," Kelly told David Gregory, host of NBC's "Meet the Press."

"Officers have to have the right of inquiry if they see some suspicious behavior. So I can assure you, this is not just a New York City issue, it's an issue throughout America," Kelly said. "And this case has to be appealed, in my judgment, because it will be taken as a template and have significant impact in policing throughout America."

A judge last week ruled the practice unconstitutional,saying that it violated the rights of ome minorities and led to a "policy of indirect racial profiling."

Kelly condemned Manhattan Federal Court Judge Shira Scheindli's ruling, saying it was based on evidence that didn't represent the totality of stop and frisk.

Kelly added: "The judge has indicted the entire New York City Police Department, 35,000 officers, of racial profiling on the flimsiest of evidence."

Lawyers for the city appealed the ruling on Friday.

On CBS' "Face the Nation," and ABC's "This Week" Kelly repeated similar talking points, but on "Face the Nation" commented on speculation that he could replace Janet Napolitano as head of the Department of Homeland Security.

"Well, the president made a very flattering statement when he was asked a question about me specifically," Kelly said. "But I'm not gonna comment any further. I've spent some time in Washington. I know it's wise to keep my mouth shut at this time."