From the Talmud to NYPD Patrol Guide

The Post delights in finding Police Academy cadet, Joel Witriol, and devotes a cover story to the NYPD's first Hasidic cop. What's interesting is that Witriol, a 24 year old from Williamsburg who studied at United Talmudical Seminary, became interested in joining the force after being on the NYPD's Auxillary Police Force. Regular citizens (without convictions or arrest records, of course) can patrol their neighborhoods, parade, subway entranges - even do traffic patrol - to be the "eyes and ears" for the police. Witriol will be exempt from holidays and police hairstyle rules with proof from a rabbi. We wonder if the police are more aggressively recruiting in the Hasidic community, given the protest in April, when police arrested a Hasidic man for using a cellphone while driving.

And have you seen The Hebrew Hammer?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on July 10, 2006 9:31 AM

Comments [rss]

whatever

To "Aristocrat" - just the contrary.

whatever

To "Aristocrat" - just the contrary.

ag

Curious - Allowed by whom? The NYPD or the Hasidic community? The later is unlikely to allow a woman to: Wear pants, touch men not related to her, talk to said unrelated men, use a cell phone in public, or do anything not directly related to reproduction and child care.

I actually wonder how well the "Kosher Pig" will be able to interact with women on the job, whether as partners, suspects or victims.

D

depends on the context. seeing as how in this case it's just a rhyme with the word blue, i don't think it's anti-Semitic. if they had written "jew cop" or something, that would generally be considered offensive.

more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymology_of_the_word_Jew

D

depends on the context. seeing as how in this case it's just a rhyme with the word blue, i don't think it's offensive. if they had written "jew cop" or something, that would definitely be defensive.

more info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymology_of_the_word_Jew

Aristocrat

I gather he won't be on an undercover unit.

mihow

Yeah, Kosher Pig is quite funny.

s

I dont see whats so offensive about NYPD Jew. The word "jew" is not derogatory... And yes, I'm a jew.

curious

Is this where I'll get flamed for asking when a female member of the Hasidim is allowed to join the force?

s

why is NYPD Jew offensive? the word "jew" is not derogatory.

Michael Foley

In other news, criminals are planning more activity on Friday evening thru Saturdays.

tien

kosher pig - that's good.

wow

Kosher pig is pretty good, but NYPD JEW... damn, thats pretty offensive right there. But the Post doesn't need to be sensitive, they just tell it like it is.

Jen

The Hasidic Community does have the Hatzolah, which is their volunteer-EMS group. Wikipedia describes Hatzolah as "are a group of volunteers who serve as middlemen between local law enforcement, fire departments, healthcare agencies and the community. They act as a first-response in many instances and use their understanding of Jewish laws, languages, and cultural nuances to react to problems with greater sensitivity. The Hasidic community has been able to form close ties with the local authorities, leading to a close, but often fragile relationship."

I think that during the series of incidents where an adult man/men flashed young girls in Borough Park, a community group (perhaps the Hatzolah) patroled the area as well.

no idea here

Don't know, could be the hair regulation or working during the sabbath/holidays.

But I know there are Orthodox Jews on the force. Well, there are lot's of Orthodox Jews in civil service in general. (for instance, Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver)

OJ

"Is there a reason that it took this long for a hasidic cop to be hired? Was it the community who had no desire to join?"

Cops like donuts, not bagels. It’s a conflict of interest.