A new poll conducted by Quinnipiac finds that the antics of Pat Lynch and the NYC police after the tragic death of two officers have left the population they are supposed to protect with a bad taste in their mouths.
New York City voters, black, white and Hispanic, disapprove 69 - 27 percent of police officers turning their backs on Mayor Bill de Blasio at funerals for two police officers, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Police union leader Patrick Lynch's comments that the mayor's office had blood on its hands are "too extreme," voters say 77 - 17 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe- ack) University Poll finds. There is no party, gender, racial, borough or age group which finds the comments "appropriate."
With a big racial division, voters say 47 - 37 percent that Mayor de Blasio's statements and actions during his 2013 campaign and during his first year in office show he does support police. The mayor supports police, black voters say 69 - 19 percent and Hispanic voters say 53 - 33 percent, while white voters say 49 - 36 percent he does not support police.
Police discipline has broken down, voters say 52 - 38 percent, but voters say 62 - 20 percent that Police Commissioner William Bratton can restore or maintain discipline.
Voters approve 56 - 31 percent of the job Commissioner Bratton is doing, up from 44 - 39 percent in a December 17 Quinnipiac University poll and his highest approval since a 57 - 19 percent score June 12, 2014. Black, white and Hispanic voters all approve.
"Cops turning their backs on their boss, Mayor Bill de Blasio, is unacceptable, New Yorkers say by large margins. Even cop-friendly Staten Island gives that rude gesture only a split decision," said Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Maurice Carroll.
"Comments by the PBA's Patrick Lynch that Mayor de Blasio has 'blood on his hands' are condemned by white, black and Hispanic voters alike."
