A new update to the city’s police patrol guide means officers can no longer wear NYPD logos while off-duty.
According to the new rule, officers are not allowed to wear any sort of clothing or accessories with the department’s image on them while off the clock.
Prohibited items include hats, pins, jewelry and clothing.
The ban also applies to non-clothing items like pens, mugs and ceremonial coins.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg was asked about the change during a news conference.
“We say that they’re on 24/7 when they are not officially at work. At home they’re still police officers, and that’s one of the things that enhances the safety of our city, one of the reasons they have permits to carry guns. And so they’re not totally independent even when they are not on duty,” said Bloomberg.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly reportedly sought the order after seeing a police officer wearing an offensive t-shirt with the NYPD logo on it.
In a statement, PBA President Pat Lynch said, “Telling police officers what images or objects he or she can own or wear in their private lives is a clear violation of the officers’ free speech rights, possibly other Constitutional rights and collective-bargaining rights. Many private citizens proudly wear NYPD apparel and police officers can’t? It makes no sense. The PBA believes the order is patently unlawful and we will defend our members’ rights.”
(Source: NY1)
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3 Responses
Yet the police are still allowed to carry their guns off-duty & we expect them to defend & help us. Is this all the City has to worry about? How stupid can they get??? I dread to think.
Now they won’t be an embarrassment to the city at least part of the time. There is still of course the time they are on duty in their uniforms.
Stupid ruling by Ray Kelly. What should be banned is the sale of NYPD clothing …which when worn by civilians can confuse people into believing they are NYPD members.