The city’s largest police union filed a complaint with the state on Friday alleging the NYPD has not given cops mask, gloves and sanitizers to protect themselves against coronavirus infection.
Police Benevolent Association officials said in their complaint that the equipment hasn’t been distributed because the department is concerned about causing a panic among the public.
“No matter how this pandemic progresses, New York City police officers will remain on the front lines and will continue to carry out our duties protecting New Yorkers. But we shouldn’t be forced to do so without adequate protection," PBA President Patrick J. Lynch said. “The NYPD has not done enough to ensure that all of our members have protective equipment such as masks and gloves, nor does it have adequate supplies of that equipment to weather a prolonged outbreak.”
The NYPD reviewed the complaint and said it was already responding to protect cops.
“The PBA’s assertion that we failed to meet our obligation as an employer is empty rhetoric,” Sgt. Jessica McRorie, a police spokeswoman, said. “Even as the PBA was filing the complaint, the NYPD was preparing with the Mayor’s office and the Department of Health. Additionally we were coordinating with members of the department for the distribution and restocking of the inventory of supplies as necessary.”
The complaint was filed with the state Public Employees Safety and Health Bureau, and argues the Police Department is legally required to provide the equipment to officers. On Feb. 23, the NYPD said it was buying the preferred N95 respirators. The PBA says those masks were not distributed in many commands because of a limited supply.
A new shipment of the respirators won’t arrive until May 20, the PBA says.
“It is unclear to the PBA why providing respirators for its police officers to store on their duty belts, or in their vehicles for use if needed, would cause a panic,” the complaint reads.
Some cops were given simple dust masks rather than the more robust respirators and the NYPD hasn’t distributed enough hand sanitizers and cleaning products, the PBA says.
The complaint calls on PESH to open an investigation of the NYPD’s preparedness for coronavirus response and determine to what extent the department has violated workplace safety laws.
So far, at least 327 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the state, with 95 in New York City — numbers thought to be substantially underestimated.