New York City's top uniformed police officer said Tuesday he's "extremely outraged" over Gov. Andrew Cuomo's comments that the NYPD wasn't doing its job.
“Our guys are tired, they’re bleeding,” NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan told The New York Post. “I think everyone you’re going to see is walking around cut up. But they’re out there again tonight. They’re out there giving their blood to keep this city safe.”
Monahan added that he's only slept for about three hours since the city's fifth night of protests, and that despite his department's efforts almost all those arrested will return to the streets quickly because of bail reform.
"When it comes to a burglary, which is a commercial store, which is looting, they’re back out,” Monahan said. “Because of bail reform, you’re back out on the street the next day. You cannot be held on any sort of bail. I spoke to (Manhattan District Attorney) Cy Vance about that. He told me there was nothing he could do.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Cuomo said the NYPD failed to protect the public from looting and criminal activity Monday night, and complained that Mayor Bill de Blasio refused the National Guard's help.
“I’m watching my men and women out there dealing with stuff that no cop should ever have to deal with, bricks, bottles, rocks,” said Monahan. “Hit in the face with bottles and continuing to go forward to make an arrest.”
The chief also praised the department's leadership for being out on the street with officers.
"For a governor to be sitting in his office saying that we’re not doing a good job — I’m outraged,” he added.
Monahan, a native of the Bronx, was also on the streets Monday night and was injured when a "group of looters" was running in the streets.
"We have to grab them," said Monahan. "I went down, went over, (got) hit by a bike, went down, covered my arm up with blood. But we locked ’em up.”
The chief said he's seen similar incidents over the years he'd been on the department, but he's "never seen anything like this.”