The number of officers in the NYPD’s anti-terrorism unit could be reduced by up to 75% – with 240 of the 300 officers deployed to street patrols as the force faces a staffing crisis
- NYPD officers in the Counterterrorism Bureau received word that their team may soon be downsized
- Up to 75 percent of these officers would instead be deployed to street patrols and fill other human resources positions
- The timeline for this change has not yet been confirmed
The number of officers in the NYPD’s counterterrorism unit could be cut by up to 75% and 240 of the 300 officers could be assigned to street-level patrols as the force faces a staffing crisis.
Members of the NYPD’s Critical Response Command, described as the “first line of defense against a terrorist attack,” were warned of the possible cuts in an internal memo this week.
In the memo obtained by the New York Post, Deputy Chief Scott Shanley said, “Today I was informed that our unit will be significantly reduced in size, by up to 75 percent.”
New York has always been a target for terrorists, with the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attack being considered one of the largest terrorist attacks the United States has ever experienced.
The new 116th Precinct in Queens, scheduled to open next spring, is reportedly included in this cut.
Members of the NYPD’s Critical Response Command, described as the “first line of defense against a terrorist attack,” were warned of the possible cuts in an internal memo this week
As Gothamist reported on Wednesday, sources said the current number of officers in the unit could drop to just 60 if the new plan is implemented
The CRC unit began eight years ago with 500 police officers on duty. According to the NYPD website, “CRC members are trained to respond quickly, with sufficient expertise, and with force to the most well-organized and heavily armed attacks.”
The Counterterrorism Division alone has a wide range of responsibilities, as police are deployed to major events in large areas of New York City such as Times Square on New Year’s Eve, the US Open, the West Village Halloween parade, and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting .
When they’re not at these major events, they can be found at other Big Apple hotspots like Penn Station, Grand Central Station, the Intrepid, the Israeli Consulate and courthouses across the city.
These trained authorities are also sent out when high-ranking politicians such as the president are in town.
As Gothamist reported on Wednesday, sources said the current number of officers in the unit could drop to just 60 if the new plan is implemented.
In addition to the proposed 75% cut in the number of officers in the unit, the 60 supervisors staffing the unit could be reduced to just 10, a source told the New York Post.
Sources also told the Post that due to this setback, other units would also be affected, such as the 18 K-9 units that were hoping to be moved to Randall’s Island to be deployed by the CRC.
If the CRC officers were moved elsewhere, the police dogs could be assigned to the drug and emergency services unit, sources told the Post.
The CRC unit began eight years ago with 500 police officers on duty. The NYPD website states: “CRC members are trained to respond quickly, with sufficient expertise and with force to the most well-organized and heavily armed attacks.”
It is still unclear when this change might occur or when the officers will be transferred to their new duties
Although CRC officers recently received new, heavy-duty bulletproof vests, the order for new helmets has since been canceled.
Judith Harrison, who has been with the NYPD for 26 years, is currently the deputy chief of counterterrorism for the NYPD Counterterrorism Bureau.
But despite the sweeping changes outlined in the memo, officials insist no plans are set in stone yet.
In a statement from NYPD Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard on Wednesday, he said: “We have not committed to changing the size of any unit, and we certainly do not plan to expand components of our intelligence and counter-intelligence capabilities during the annual United Nations meeting. “To change the terror apparatus.” General Assembly.’
It is still unclear when this change might occur or when the officers will be transferred to their new duties.