WATCH: Police Union Heads Claim Lawmakers Never Gave Them ‘Seat at Table’ on New Reform Bills

Leaders of New York’s police unions blasted the state legislature Tuesday for making changes to laws affecting them in the wake of the George Floyd police-involved killing, accusing lawmakers of “not giving us a seat at the table.”

Nearly 100 union leaders and cops massed for the June 9 press conference under the RFK Bridge on Randalls Island, to address inequities in the way the legislature is dealing with police-related bills. They also expressed frustration with the continuing riots and violence against them, threats of “defunding” and increases in violent crime.

The unions are coming off of 12 days of protests and violence, most of it directed at police officers after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of a police officer Derek Chauvin. While union leaders called the killing “disgusting,” they claim there have already been numerous changes made to policing which has made New York’s officers the “best in the world.”

Pat Lynch, president of the largest of the unions, the Police Benevolent Association, said his officers have been abused and attacked at a time when crime is rising, yet, the city is discussing “defunding” the NYPD and “tying our hands behind our backs.” He noted that there were 40 people shot last week alone, and there were 7 people shot just last night and a total of 10 shootings for the evening; hundreds of stores were vandalized and looted during protests, and cops were attacked with bricks.

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