After police shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge, the NYPD issues new equipment they hope will better protect their ranks. Our Rocco Vertuccio has the story.
"You name it we are buying it," said Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.
The police commissioner was referring to new equipment the department purchased to help keep officers safe while they respond to situations with an active shooter, like the Dallas and Baton Rouge police shootings.
The new tactical and safety equipment is part of $320 million the city allocated to the NYPD 18 months ago. The commissioner says because of those recent police shootings the city put a high priority on getting the equipment to the officers even sooner than planned.
It includes six thousand ballistic vests that can protect officers from high powered weapons — something their current vests can't do. This is in addition to 20,000 military-style ballistic helmets — the type of helmet that helped save an officer's life during the Orlando Massacre last month.
"We are committed while protecting the safety of the public in this city to ensuring the safety of our officers to the best of their ability," Bratton added.
Some patrol cars will also get ballistic windows and doors. The announcement was made at the 84th Police Precinct stationhouse in downtown Brooklyn, which is a symbolic location.
It's the home precinct for officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Lu, the two officers killed in the line of duty by a gunman who ambushed them in 2014. It was after that shooting the NYPD starting seeing an increase of attacks on police.
"We have to make sure we are taking every measure available to protect our officers with the latest gear the latest technology," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The equipment arrives after the largest police union the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association filed a complaint with the state in April over the need for the equipment.
In a statement PBA President Pat Lynch said:
"The de Blasio administration is once again demonstrating their reactive approach to governing, which typically results in ineffective half measures. Sadly, it took the PBA's complaint to the State and a tough story in the newspaper to get City Hall and the NYPD to provide a portion of what local patrol officers need to defend the public and themselves in active shooter events."
The new equipment will be rolled out over the next few months. Eventually every officer will also be trained specifically to respond to an active shooter situation.