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On Thursday, November 17, the NYPD in partnership with ICNY hosted Public Safety in Today’s Multi-Faith New York, an event focused on public safety initiatives and efforts to create better understanding between police officers and the multi-faith communities in which they serve. A video “Policing in Today’s Multi-Faith New York ” was screened, which will be shown to all NYPD cadets as part of their required training.
New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill addressed the law enforcement and diverse faith leaders in the audience with the following remarks:
Good evening everyone. Thanks for being here.
And welcome to Police Headquarters.
Thank you to the Interfaith Center of New York and The Very Rev. James Parks Morton for your collaboration and goodwill on behalf of our city.
And to the panelists here tonight:
I thank you for your leadership and community activism throughout New York.
I’m proud to stand here with you tonight to present a valuable training video for law enforcement professionals.
I want to thank Deputy Commissioner Susan Herman, who has worked tirelessly with the Interfaith Center of New York in creating a product that celebrates our city’s vast diversity.
Our city continues to grow, and the residents and workers here take a lot of pride in that diversity …
… and in being an integral part of such an open, welcoming society.
The New York City Police Department has been very fortunate to experience a similar explosion of cultures and religions within our own ranks over the past decade or so.
With such growth …
… it’s our responsibility to teach the basic principles of many different customs and viewpoints to every member of our police department.
Looking around this room, it’s really heartening to see such a wonderful cross-section of New Yorkers.
I have no doubt this video will prove to be a great tool for our cops in the field …
… who engage with members of the community thousands of times a day.
As Police Commissioner, it’s a top priority to keep our cops informed and – most importantly – educated on the many religions practiced in the communities they serve.
That is why we’ll be showing this film to all new police recruits during their time in the Police Academy.
I’m grateful for our partnership with the Interfaith Center of New York … and I’m looking forward to building on our successes in training New York’s Finest.
We want every resident … every worker … in every neighborhood of our great city … to be our ally.
We all need this – because public safety is a shared responsibility.
As you know, there has been a rise in reported bias incidents of late …
… particularly against Muslims and those of the Jewish faith.
I want to assure you here, tonight: The NYPD stands with every victim … and we are facing this issue head-on … together.
In recent weeks and months, there has been a lot of political rhetoric.
But this is New York City, and we’re better than that.
We simply won’t tolerate these crimes.
In the NYPD, we have the best hate-crime investigators in the United States of America.
So, for anyone who may engage in such disgusting behavior … rest assured:
They’ll be arrested as quickly as possible …
… and we’ll work with our prosecutors to make sure they’re fully prosecuted under the hate-crime statues.
Once again, thank you for coming tonight.
And thank you for leading others as we work together to make this a better … and a safer … city for everyone.