NYPD officers will face 'disciplinary action' for flouting New York’s mask mandate after Gov. Andrew Cuomo and residents launched complaints
New York City police officers will now face 'disciplinary action' if they ignore the state's face mask mandate, per reports.
The warning comes after a dozen neighborhoods reported coronavirus positivity rates above three per cent, and residents have launched complaints over officers ditching the public health measure.
ABC 7 reports that an email sent out Friday to NYPD officers reiterated 'that they are required to wear face coverings at all times when performing duties in public areas, department facilities and whenever social distancing is not possible.'
The memo added that officers needed to don proper face masks instead of alternatives like scarves, bandannas and handkerchiefs.
A memo on Friday told NYPD officers that they would face 'disciplinary action' for not wearing face coverings
NYPD officers have been told to wear proper face masks instead of scarves, bandannas and handkerchiefs
The type and extent of 'disciplinary action' leveled at defiant officers has not been disclosed.
Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Democrat representing the 27th District in Manhattan, called for Mayor Bill de Blasio to clarify the penalties.
'Essential that [Mayor Bill de Blasio] outlines the specific penalties for police officers who do not wear masks as the City moves toward renewing restrictions on certain neighborhoods,' Hoylman tweeted on Sunday.
'There can be no effective enforcement for all without real enforcement in the NYPD.'
The sentiment was shared by Chief of Department Terence Monahan.
Sen. Brad Hoylman called on Mayor Bill de Blasio to clarify what types of penalties NYPD officers will face for not wearing face masks
'It is our responsibility to set the example for our great city. And do everything we can to help ensure we do not have another hospitalized member bring this deadly infection into our homes, or have another funeral,' said Chief Monahan in a video memo sent to officer's cell phones.
A memorial service for the 46 NYPD officers who died of coronavirus will be held at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Monday.
ABC 7 reports that officers at the Manhattan headquarters heard repeated reminders over loud speakers to wear face masks.
Residents in New York City have made complaints for months about NYPD officers who were tasked with enforcing the face mask mandate, but ignored the rule themselves.
So far, 46 NYPD officers have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic entered New York City in January and prompted a lockdown in March
Pictured: an NYPD officer speaks to a colleague without a face mask in New York City on September 17
Social media has been flooded with photos and videos of NYPD officers without face masks, and a Twitter page titled NYPD Mask Watch has chronicled incidents since June.
That month, the department's press office told New York Post that officers could 'put their energy to better use' than wearing face masks.
'Perhaps it was the heat. Perhaps it was the 15-hour tours, wearing bullet-resistant vests in the sun. Perhaps it was the helmets,' the department said, in response to circulating photos of maskless officers.
'With everything New York City has been through in the past two weeks and everything we are working towards together, we can put our energy to a better use.'
Gov. Andrew Cuomo called out the NYPD last month over face masks, suggesting that their laissez faire approach was encouraging residents to do the same.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (pictured) questioned why NYPD officers have been seen flouting the face mask mandate during a press conference
'The current law was everybody has to wear a mask. Why didn’t you enforce the current mask law? Why didn’t you enforce it?' he said in a public address to authorities.
'By the way, why don’t the NYPD wear masks? What signal does that send?'
'Wearing a mask is the law, but the police officer who’s supposed to enforce the law doesn’t wear a mask.'
Mayor Bill de Blasio echoed those remarks last week, saying: 'Our officers should be held to the same standard as all citizens, all public standards. If they don’t, there should be penalties.'
New York City, the initial pandemic epicenter, has recorded 241,403 confirmed infections and 19,211 confirmed deaths. Hospitalizations in the city have reached 59,388.
No comments