Letter: Police safety must include equipment
Two NYPD officers were shot in Fordham section of the Bronx Monday night, according to multiple media reports. Credit: Photo by FILE
I was glad to read that the New York State Senate will hold public hearings on police safety ["NY Senate plans cop safety hearings," News, Dec. 30].
I hope the Senate allows New York City Police Department officers to testify with immunity so the senators can hear the truth. Every city police officer I know tells me the same thing: Equipment installed in the vehicles doesn't work. This unnecessarily places the officers in danger when they are trying to ascertain a suspect's status.
Also, some police departments have Kevlar built into the doors of police sedans. How about placing this bullet-resistant material into the vehicles of the NYPD? If the state really has a $5 billion settlement from banks, this would be a perfect time.
Thomas Duignan, West Islip
Editor's note: The writer is a retired state park police officer.
