As the biggest police force in the country, the New York Police Department employs 51,000 people. That's more than the FBI. The city's law enforcement officers have been the subject of countless films, novels, TV shows, songs—name a medium, and there's a representation of New York cops to be found.
The NYPD is like a small army—Mayor Bloomberg's army, let him tell it—and over the years, instances of the NYPD going too far in their mission to keep the city safe have been well documented.
By no means do we intend to crucify law enforcement in New York. Being a cop is a difficult job, especially in a city with a population of over eight million. Police officers put their lives on the line every day. But there is another invisible line that they must be aware of at all times—the one between necessary action and brutality. Reminding the public of times when this line has been crossed in the last four decades is necessary.
Written by Julian Kimble (@JRK316)