The Chief of New York City’s Department of Corrections (DOC) has warned off-duty officers to avoid wearing their uniforms or other identifying DOC logos, out of concern for violent anti-cop attacks.
Chief of Department Hazel Jennings warned DOC leadership that their personnel should avoid wearing their uniforms on public transit in a letter reported by the New York Post. Jennings’ warnings come after two uniformed NYPD officers were shot and wounded by a gunman over the weekend.
Jennings also suggested the precautionary advice should extend to friends and family of DOC members.
“Advise loved ones and friends to refrain from wearing clothing items or carrying items brandishing the department name and logo, for their safety,” Jennings letter read.
In her warnings to DOC members, Jennings also advised changes to protocols to better protect officers.
“Only uniformed staff that are firearms qualified shall be assigned to front entrance and other point of entry posts,” she added. “Uniformed staff assigned to such posts shall be armed and wearing their ballistic vests at all times while on duty.”
Jennings further warned officers to be aware of even mundane situations that could pose a threat if they escalated.
“It is strongly emphasized that any situation, even one which may appear minor, can rapidly escalate into a major, possibly life-threatening incident,” her letter read.
On Saturday night, two on-duty NYPD officers were shot at in what NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea described as an assassination attempt on his officers. One officer was shot and grazed under his chin and along his neck and was expected to survive.
“By the grace of God, we are here talking about an officer that will be going home,” Shae said.
WATCH LIVE as @NYPDShea and @nycmayor provide an update about tonight’s incident where an NYPD police officer was shot in the Bronx. https://t.co/bvQgIAr4bl
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 9, 2020
“Let me be very clear: this was an assassination attempt of two New York City police officers,” Shae said.
A second shooting attempt on NYPD officers occurred hours later on Sunday morning. According to the New York Post, NYPD arrested and charged Robert Williams for both shooting attacks.
