Ray Kelly: Cops Can't Have, Wear NYPD Merchandise

Besides wanting cops to, you know, do their jobs, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has demanded that all police officers give up their habits of wearing NYPD merchandise (like a NYPD hat) or flaunting NYPD knick-knacks (like Officer Bear). Well, maybe they could have Officer Bear... if they get permission.

DNAinfo reports, "Sources say the restrictions stemmed from a recent incident where Kelly saw a cop wearing a T-Shirt with the NYPD letters on it with the following military expression: 'Kill Them All and Let God Sort It Out..'":

According to NYPD Interim Order P.G. 203-06, “Performance on Duty - Prohibited Conduct,” issued Jan. 19, the only time a city cop can display the NYPD letters or department insignia is on their department issued uniform when worn on-duty.

The rule identified "prohibited conduct" as wearing "any item of apparel which contains a Department logo or shield, or in any way identifies its wearer with the New York City Police Department unless approved by the Uniform and Equipment Review Committee, prior to being worn by a member of the service, uniformed or civilian, on or off-duty.”

Also, “the use of the Department logo or shield in artistic or mural forms, in caricature or cartoon-like representation,” the rule says.

Some cops wonder if this includes t-shirts dedicated to slain officers while a ranking cop told DNAinfo, “The NYPD logo is now on a par with Al Qaeda and bin Laden. We can’t display them.”

At a press conference, Mayor Bloomberg said the ban is up to Kelly, "When they’re home, they’re still police officers. And that’s one of the things that enhances the safety in our city, one of the reasons they are permitted to carry a gun. And so they’re not totally independent, even when they’re not on duty, from whatever the police department decides is appropriate. I’ll leave it to Ray."

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By Jen Chung in News on January 31, 2012 6:21 PM

Comments [rss]

MaseInYourFace

They should be smart enough to figure out what is proper. But I guess that is too much to ask...

LICnative

Shit. I just invested all my money in an NYPD t-shirt that says "Greg Kelly ain't the baby's daddy". What am I going to do with all these damn shirts?

Carlos Suarez

great idea!

Detex

I can see where the cops are upset. It is like telling a union dude he can't wear union t-shirts, they would have to get all new t-shirts! But really, the cop with the 'Kill Them All and Let God Sort It Out..'" T-Shirt is an idiot. That is NO way to get my respect as a cop even if it is a joke. When you take a job as a civil servant you must realize that you are held to a higher standard. You are no longer just an employee but part of a larger organization. Go to the private sector if you want to go by your own rules!

Adam Moreira

I agree with this in part and disagree in part---this could also make them targets off duty. There are valid concerns expressed, however, that should be addressed.

ThreeAndNine

But... that policy is not new.

The prohibition against wearing any articles of clothing with the NYPD logo or shield or that otherwise associates the wearer with the department has been in place for many years. Only the part of that revised order (as linked to in the DNAinfo story) starting with "This prohibition extends to..." is new.

But not even new, really, just a clarification and expansion on existing policy. Prior to this, in addition to the apparel-related prohibition, there already was mention of a ban on logo on other items in Patrol Guide section P.G. 203-06, but it was more generally stated: against "using Department logo unless authorized by Police Commissioner."

Nothing new, they're just making it more clear.

TheRealCannibal

its a slow news day. they were posting about their cats before.

Midnight Fapper

i knew you didn't like pussy all along, makes sense now ;)

TheRealCannibal

I'm more of a dog person

Matthijs van Guilder

"...and let god sort them out" was already common on street wear T-shirts and jackets during the Viet Nam war. I wonder how old it really is? By the way, which god? There are so many to choose from.