A little-known police privilege doled by a major union is now making mainstream headlines. According to a report from the New York Post, the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), which represents officers in New York City, recently cut the number of ‘get out of jail free cards’ officers can issue to their friends and family for minor infractions.
“Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association boss Pat Lynch slashed the maximum number of cards that could be issued to current cops from 30 to 20, and to retirees from 20 to 10, sources told The Post.”
As it turns out, ‘get out of jail free cards’ are not simply a fictional aspect of the monopoly board game. When officers give these cards out, recipients can theoretically use them to claim stature. By signaling to the officers who pull them over that they know other cops, they reduce their chances of being cited. Lynch reportedly cut the number of cards issues because some were being sold on eBay.
NJ.com reported on these special cards nearly six years ago, specifically highlighting their secretive nature. Writing for the outlet, Kevin Manahan recounted his efforts trying to get comments from police officers about them.
“I called patrolmen (click). Detectives (click). Sergeants (click). Lieutenants (click). Captains (click). Deputy chiefs (click). Police chiefs (click). I tried to get comment from state PBA president Anthony Wieners (crickets). It’s a sensitive subject.”
“Nobody wants to go on the record about this,” one officer reportedly told him. “People read this, and they get upset and start screaming about special privileges. It’s not good publicity.”
These cards have apparently been around for quite some time. “I go back 40 years and they’ve been around as far back as I can remember,” said Wayne Fisher, director of the Police Institute at Rutgers University. “I’m sure they go back a lot further than that.”
Though according to that 2012 report, the cards have become less effective over the years, Lynch’s decision has still drawn outrage.
“They are treating active members like s–t, and retired members even worse than s–t,” one NYPD cop who retired on disability reportedly told the Post. “All the cops I spoke to were . . . very disappointed they couldn’t hand them out as Christmas gifts.”
The NYPD and PBA declined to comment on the story, which further highlights the different standards of justice applied to police officers and regular citizens without special privileges. The PBA has established itself as an unflinching ally of officers, often rushing to their defense even when they commit violence against unarmed, nonviolent individuals.
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I always knew cops protect their own people, but this is the first I've heard of these "get out of jail" cards. Thanks for posting this.
They are not get out of jail free cards, they are "PBA Cards", which indicate to officers who pull people over that they may have a family member who is a cop. I would imagine it is awkward for cops to look their co-worker in the eye knowing they just gave a speeding ticket to the other officers mother. Of all the things cops do, this is not the worst. The bigger issue is a legal code that is so long and gives police so much authority that they can ticket the average person for almost anything at anytime. The issue is unchecked and largely unlimited power. The war on drugs is of course a driving factor behind this. As far as cops letting people go who have family members that are cops, I have actually known a few young people who struggled and even died because they used "PBA cards" to void them of responsibility. They continuously drove 100+ miles per hour and always got out of it when pulled over. Not being held responsible, one eventually died in you guessed it, a car crash.
The strange thing is it does not stop there. Politicians may not have a card, but resigning under questionable circumstances seems to grant them a guarantee of no follow-up.
Actors who may be caught drunk driving might be let go if they are well known enough.
It seems the only people who have no privilege where this type of thing is concerned are the actual people taxed to pay for the people who can waive the law if they wish.
All cops are evil people. They hurt innocent people at the beheist of the parasitic political class. The fact that they protect each other & those they love is no surprise but, it is wrong. The old "protect & serve" is just for them & their friends.
I can't believe the police have a monopoly on get out of jail free cards.
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I've heard the traffic/drivers education teachers have near immunity when it comes to moving violations. Mine drove an RX-7 and constantly sped. Loved the fact that she got out of a handful of tickets. The "law" has become more of a set of guidelines....
This is beautiful and inspiring, thanks
This is just pathetic, although not really surprising. The sheet amount of corruption in local, state and federal government is astounding, although not exactly breaking news, right? The continued abuses off after forfeiture laws across the U.S. is another aspect of modern law that would have had the founders of this country screaming in protest and grabbing their muskets. Great post and exactly what we need to know about the people who are supposed to be protecting us. Graft is graft, no matter who doing it. Up-Voted and resteemed!
Or police could just treat everyone the same with or without a card. Also how is it not illegal as a policemen to let someone get away with committing a crime?! If you catch your partners wife speeding give her a ticket its your fucking job!!