NYPD cops headed to work D.C.

[Gar]

Some 1,000 city cops are headed to Washington next month to help guard against major street protests expected at a meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association had raised concerns over liability in case an officer or civilian was injured.

But the NYPD said it has agreed to continue all benefits and liability protection as if the officers were on duty in New York.

The nation's capital is bracing for more than 100,000 protesters during the gathering of world financial leaders Sept. 29-30.

Expecting violence that has plagued similar meetings around the world — particularly last month in Genoa, Italy, and in 1999 in Seattle — the 6,000-member Washington police force asked for help from other law enforcement agencies.

"We hope we get through the two days of the meeting trouble-free, but we have to be prepared," said Washington police spokesman Kenneth Bryson.

New York is lending the largest contingent of officers and supervisors, which is being organized under the gung-ho name of Washington Expeditionary Force. The cops will be evenly divided into battalions, each commanded by a deputy inspector, and will be equipped with gas masks and large cans of pepper spray.

Washington will pick up the contingent's salaries, and city cops who volunteer won't have to use vacation time.

The Washington assignment is proving popular among the New York rank and file. Some 800 cops and 200 supervisors will make the trip.

The D.C.-bound cops will leave the city in buses Sept. 27 and will be housed at the U.S. Marine barracks in Quantico, Va.

Officers from Philadelphia and other cities are also expected to join the temporary Washington force, Bryson said.

[TTRAIN222]

Just a thought...
Why don't they use the National Guard instead?

[k9cop21811]

I think the idea of seeing soldiers in the streets, although not a bad idea, would seem like an over reaction to a lot of people. As a police manager you have to try and look at the different ways in which you decisions will be viewed, and work from there. You don't always have that luxury, however. I think bringing in other cops, while more expensive, is a better way to go.

[DelC]

I imagine the National Guard will be utilized, at least on stand-by at the armory. But, D.C. doesn’t have that big of a National Guard Contingent. I doubt the statement in the article about a 6,000-member Washington police force. Last I heard it was about 3,400. When I was with D.C. during the large demonstrations in the ‘70’s, the strength of the force was about 4,500 and the National Guard was always utilized on the street or placed on stand-by at the armory.