Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Riot

Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Riot
DateSeptember 16, 1992
Location
New York City Hall and Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan, New York City
Caused byReaction to proposed civilian oversight of police and reaction to Mayor David Dinkins' view of police
GoalsPreventing Mayor David Dinkins and New York City Council from implementing police reform
MethodsRioting, protests, assault
Resulted inThe CCRB was reorganized and made independent from the police department in July 1993, Rudy Giuliani defeats David Dinkins in 1993 New York City mayoral election.
Lead figures

PBA President Phil Caruso, Rudy Giuliani, Guy Molinari

Casualties
Charged2

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Riot, also known as the City Hall Riot, was a rally organized and sponsored by the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association of the City of New York (PBA) held on September 16, 1992, to protest mayor David Dinkins' proposal to create a civilian agency to investigate police misconduct.[1][2] Approximately 4,000 NYPD officers took part in a protest that included blocking traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge and jumping over police barricades in an attempt to rush City Hall.[3] Rioters were observed to be openly drinking, damaging cars, and physically attacking journalists from the New York Times on the scene. Rioters also chanted racial epithets towards the African-American Mayor Dinkins. The nearly 300 uniformed on-duty officers did little to control the riot.[4][5][6]

Mayor Dinkins, who was not present at City Hall at the time, denounced the rally as "bordering on hooliganism" and accused PBA president Phil Caruso of inciting violence. Dinkins also accused Rudy Giuliani, who spoke at the rally, of inflaming tensions among rally attendees.[6] Of the nearly 10,000 participating officers, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly sanctioned 42 of them.[7]

  1. ^ "Shielded from Justice: New York: Civilian Complaint Review Board". www.hrw.org. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  2. ^ "Police Unions Haven't Only Battled Bill de Blasio's City Hall". Observer. 2014-12-22. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  3. ^ Oliver, Pamela (18 July 2020). "When the NYPD Rioted – Race, Politics, Justice". Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  4. ^ Voorhees, Josh (2014-12-22). "Déjà Blue". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  5. ^ Manegold, Catherine S. (1992-09-27). "Rally Puts Police Under New Scrutiny". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
  6. ^ a b Mckinley, James C. Jr. (1992-09-17). "Officers Rally And Dinkins Is Their Target". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  7. ^ James, George (1992-09-29). "Police Dept. Report Assails Officers in New York Rally (Published 1992)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-01-15.