The NYPD has seen many great Irish names over the years, from commissioners Ray Kelly, Patrick Murphy, and currently James O’Neill, to countless patrolmen with Irish surnames, but it’s time to reach out to all New Yorkers regardless of race or creed.
Mayor de Blasio has made strides to encourage recruitment of an increasingly diverse city, but such attempts have been misconstrued as taking away from the Irish character of the institution. The fear by many patrolmen with Irish roots in the force heading back many generations is that this outreach is excluding them, despite all that they have done in keeping the city safe over the years.
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However, I would argue that this diverse outreach program is a sign that Irish-American cops have garnered a great deal of respect and admiration, hence others should follow in their exemplary steps. With the country set to become a minority-majority in a few decades time, it is only fitting that the police reach out to these people in the coming years.
ICYMI: Yesterday we held our #NYPDMedalDay ceremony to honor our NYPD heroes. Catch up on it and learn more about the significance of the event by watching the video below #NYPDprotecting pic.twitter.com/dXANyDA2Td
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 7, 2018
One can never forget the brave sacrifices Irish-American officers have made in the past, such as during 9/11, but there is nothing stopping each and every New Yorker from devoting their lives to protecting and helping others as well. Remembering their legacy and the great Irish-American history of the force is something I have great hope for other New Yorkers who seek to follow in their footsteps.
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The Irish in the NYPD have done us proud for decades, helping the city drastically reduce crime and maintain the spot as one of the world’s safest large cities, but it’s time to show others their example and get them to show the best of what their communities have to offer too. As of now, the force is roughly half white, half Hispanic and other minorities, so there is certainly no shortage of Irish cops.
The NYPD is constantly evolving to keep New York the safest big city in America – and with each month we get even safer. pic.twitter.com/ntzuc9KFOa
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 5, 2018
The quota for new applicants for a widening of the base of the NYPD may have a “particular focus on African American, Asian, Jewish, Muslim, women and LGBTQ applicants,” but this does not mean that the Irish have been forgotten. If anything, I would argue the contrary, that Irish policemen and women have already proven themselves as outstanding members of the police and the community.
Now, we need to encourage others to build upon this legacy that has defined the police department as the lifeline of this great city.
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