The former mayor of New York says President Obama is partly to blame for tensions between police and the community. On CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Rudy Giuliani said sending representatives to funerals of people killed by police and associating with Al Sharpton sends an anti-cop message. The Republican voiced support for current Mayor Bill de Blasio and criticized police who turned their back on him during a funeral for murdered officer Rafael Ramos Saturday. However, Giuliani also called on de Blasio to mend fences with NYPD and apologize for any misunderstandings in comments he’s made.
New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton is also weighing into the “back turning” controversy. Bratton is sticking up for Mayor de Blasio. The commissioner also says police shouldn’t have turned their backs on de Blasio at Ramos’ funeral.
Services for Ramos’ partner, who was the second NYPD officer shot and killed in a sneak attack by a deranged assailant in Brooklyn, are set for this weekend. According to a New York City funeral home, they will hold a wake for Officer Wenjian Liu this Saturday. Reports indicate that Liu’s funeral will be held on Sunday morning at the same location, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, when hundreds of cops are turning their backs to the city’s mayor, other officers are calling for peace. Dozens of black, Latino and Asian officers gathered in Brooklyn on Sunday night for a vigil to encourage healing and understanding. Read more about their stance about NYPD toning it down, HERE.
###
kimwellsmedia 122914
Follow me on Twitter @kwellscomm.
