Hundreds of union members back 16 NYPD cops in court over 'huge traffic ticket scam'
dailymail ^ | 10.28.11
Posted on October 28, 2011 10:22:49 PM EDT by InvisibleChurch
Hundreds of police union members turned up outside court today to support 16 New York policemen charged with abusing their authority by helping family and friends avoid paying traffic tickets.
The 13 officers, two sergeants, one lieutenant and five others were arraigned in a Bronx court on Friday after handing themselves in last night following a mammoth city investigation.
But union members made their voice heard by clogging the street near the courthouse, filling the hallways near the arraignment room and applauding in court after the officers left.
Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said ticket fixing was sanctioned at the highest levels of the department, and he vowed that when the dust settled, they would prove it.
'Taking care of your family, taking care of your friends is not a crime,' he said. 'To take a courtesy and turn it into a crime is wrong.' The case began with a 2009 internal probe into Bronx officer Jose Ramos, who was suspected of associating with a drug dealer, officials said.
While listening to the NYPD officer's phone, investigators allegedly heard calls from people seeing if he could fix tickets for them. Ramos has been working for the department for nearly 18 years. He and his wife were arrested at their home on Thursday night. All other 15 policemen turned themselves in, reported the New York Post.
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