Police, New York

Crime never sleeps. Especially not in Manhattan, the famous peninsula of the US metropolis of New York City. It’s true that NYC has become safer over the past 30 years. But only because the police show more presence.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) is as complex and sometimes contradicting a structure as the city itself. In some respects, the NYPD is already a myth that has shaped the image of New York worldwide through film and TV. 51,000 people work for the NYPD, including 34,000 uniformed workers.

Since last year, there has been a record increase in resignations. The number of new staff members is clearly insufficient. One of the key reasons for this trend is the strong social backlash. It happened in the year of the presidential election following the death of George Floyd. Questions arise as to the capacity of the authorities to effectively enforce the rule of law.