PBA Boss Pat Lynch Runs Away From His Own

Crying that Mayor Bill de Blasio has “blood on his hands” may be the sort of wild rhetoric that plays with the public, with those who adore and appreciate the heroic cops who keep them safe from the mongrel hordes, but it turns out that cops are still cops.  Much as they may extoll their virtues for public consumption, what they really care about is . . .

The in-house battle erupted over the issue of what patrol officers really need — an apology from Mayor de Blasio or better equipment and more officers to back them up on the streets.

“This is what my members want!” a cop yelled near the end of the raucous meeting. “They want more cars, better vests, more manpower!”

This happened during a meeting of PBA delegates in Queens, where the real business of policing happens.  And for all the touchy-feely crap that’s been spewn for public consumption of late, the bottom line remains the same as it’s always been, the First Rule of Policing.

And then the cop — one of about 350 in attendance — took a verbal jab at Lynch, who has called on de Blasio to offer a mea culpa for his continued lack of support for police.

“They don’t want an apology,” he said.

“They asked Lynch directly: ‘What did you ask the mayor for?’ ” the source added. But Lynch provided no answers. The yelling and screaming lasted about 10 minutes before Lynch stormed out.

The job — and in case you’re unaware, it’s always “the job” in cop lingo — isn’t really about love.  It’s not about honor, or service or protecting. The job is about them.  They get paid. They get pensions. They go home for dinner.

You would think that Pat Lynch, whose job requires him to not only herd the feral cop cats, but keep the public sufficiently misinformed that they never quite realize how little concern for their welfare is involved, would understand what his members want.

And historically, Lynch has done very well at his job, as this is a tough bunch to please. You don’t get to stay as PBA boss without pleasing the troops. But as much as Lynch’s efforts, his own mouthy rhetoric combined with the full-court press to spread the cop delusion among the masses, may have succeeded in cowing de Blasio and Commissioner Bill Bratton, it would appear that he took his own press clippings too seriously.

The cops want what cops have always wanted:  to get home for dinner.  Apologies don’t get them there. Adoration doesn’t get them there. The want the First Rule of Policing to produce hard winnings at the negotiating table.  Did Pat Lynch forget this?

Lynch couldn’t handle the pressure from his own men over his handling of City Hall, so he ran away.

They’re a tough crowd, Pat. Don’t cry.

10 thoughts on “PBA Boss Pat Lynch Runs Away From His Own

  1. Marc R

    Gotta pay your respects to PBA or not buttoning your uniform right will get you traffic duty. But if the PBA is on your side…Not sure how it is up there but down here the PBA President is a full time sheriff’s deputy in the same locale of the PBA. It seems like they should be from neighboring police stations not the ones under the local LEO control otherwise contract negotiations between the union bargaining rep and the agency are really awkward to watch unfold. And that awkwardness seems to screw the taxpayers, always. Maybe a PBA board member should never be drawn from the pool of officers the local law enforcement agency oversees. But what do I know? PBA never asks me for my opinion on Garrity.

      1. Marc R

        I can’t seem to find the NY PBA budget use of the monthly dues. Is that public info or beyond FOIA request because it’s not a government agency (behind PERC hearings)?

  2. Greg

    Actually a Quinnipiac poll released today found that nearly 70% of the public disapproved of the “turn their backs” and the “blood on his hands” rhetoric.
    Let’s remember that the “don’t come to the hospital or our funerals” letter was sent by the PBA to EACH mayor from Dinkins to Guilliani and Bloomberg.
    The more than 90% reduction in moving traffic tickets didn’t result in more accidents on the streets. The reduction in parking tickets only hurts the budget. The dramatic reduction in arrests for minor offenses didn’t see anarchy take over, or more violent crimes occur. It might have actually saved a bit of money by not having to have all the processing of those arrested.
    After the heavy hand of “stop and frisk” for a couple of decades, perhaps NYC could use a little lighter police touch. But then what would all those criminal defense and traffic lawyers do? Real estate?

    1. SHG Post author

      I saw the Quinnipiac Poll, and remain unimpressed. It fails to go the extra step, as in they disapprove of the PBA tactics, but so what? They don’t disapprove enough to demand change.

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