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Statement from County Executive Rob Astorino & Sheriff Chris Moss on Today’s NYPD Protest

August 23, 2014

Today, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and Chemung Sheriff Chris Moss, President of the New York State Sheriff’s Association–who has served in law enforcement for 26 years–issued the following joint statement:

“Sheriff Moss and I stand firmly behind the NYPD in the face of a growing war on cops designed by Reverend Sharpton and a few spineless politicians.  No organization is perfect, and in an international city of 8.5 million residents, mistakes are bound to happen. Eric Garner’s death was a tragedy that likely could have been avoided had he complied with lawful orders. We have the utmost confidence in DA Donovan’s ability to investigate and reveal a thorough accounting of the facts. However, the war on our men and women in blue started long before Eric Garner’s death and is being waged based on personal and political interests, the results of which will be catastrophic for the safety and well being of New Yorkers and our visitors.

“This city and state needs leaders who support New York’s finest–a moniker they did not receive by accident. They are men and women representing nearly every ethnicity in the world with the common purpose of keeping this city safe and saving lives. . We should be celebrating them for a job well done.”