Exclusive | Attacks on NYPD officers reach ‘unprecedented scale’

Assaults on NYPD officers have risen to “unprecedented levels,” increasing 41% so far this year compared to last and 60% since 2019, data obtained by The Post shows.

So far this year, 1,975 officers have been attacked while working in the city, compared to 1,763 at the same time in 2023.

The number of attacks on police officers has increased for five years in a row and now dwarfs the number of assaults recorded in 2019, before the pandemic, when 1,253 were logged.

Police officers believe this shocking trend reflects a growing disrespect for police officers and a growing perception among criminals that fighting a police officer will go unpunished.

“Years ago, you had to be really crazy to fight cops,” said one longtime NYPD officer. “Now is the season for everyone – the protesters, the migrants, even the regular career criminals.”

Criminals know they will face no consequences if they hit a police officer, said the veteran, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

“Everyone knows that they can attack police officers, defend themselves violently and escape the same day,” the police officer said. “And if they don’t get out, an activist group will show up and pay their bail. The whole city is upside down.”

Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Hendry echoed the observation: “They think they can attack a police officer and get away with it because they believe the justice system is on their side.”

“As we try these cases in court we are starting to see a change, but the consequences for attacks on police officers need to happen much more quickly so that the message gets out onto the streets.”

Michael Lipetri, chief of crime strategies for the NYPD, said attacks on police officers this week are driving up the number of overall assaults in the city, which saw a 5% increase, with 22,806 so far this year compared to 21,712 at this time in 2023, police data shows.

“Police officers in New York City are more engaged than ever before,” LiPetri said, noting that crime against police officers has reached “unprecedented levels.”

“You’re dealing with individuals who, quite frankly, shouldn’t be walking the streets of New York City,” he said. “They are dangerous and attack New York police officers.”

In an attack caught on camera, police officer Mary Fay had blood running down her face after she tried to break up a fight between a brute and a group of children in the Bronx on August 1.

After allegedly punching her, 41-year-old repeat offender Ernst Delma was attacked by other police officers at the corner of Randall Avenue and Rosedale Avenue in Clason Point.

A longtime Bronx police officer called for a mandatory minimum sentence for assaulting a police officer.

“I think anyone who attacks a police officer should get at least a year in prison,” the officer said.

“I have always said that we are the last line of defense,” the official added. “Even if I wasn’t a police officer, I would feel the same way, just like your parents always taught you to never disrespect the police officers. These people just don’t care.”