He also took a few swipes at politicians who are calling the massive uptick in NYPD suicides “a crisis.”
“Just stop, we’ve been very clear on what we need,” he said. “Provide mental health benefits that will cover the high professional treatment we need and accommodate us when we are in crisis. Stop destroying the careers of cops who reach out for help.”
“Instead, you continue to grandstand on the backs of police officers and show up when we’re dead,” he said. “You think that a few tweets and mental health posters will make up for it? Well it wont.”
Lynch’s video comes a day after Mayor de Blasio sent an open letter to cops in the department, encouraging people to get mental help if they need it. In the letter, the Mayor referenced his own father’s suicide.
The department’s Employee Assistance Unit, Early Intervention Unit, Chaplain’s office and the Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance, known as POPPA, offer services. Members of the NYPD needing help can reach the EAU at (646) 610-6750. POPPA can be reached at (888) 267-7267.