New York Mayor Bill De Blasio Says Back-Turning By Police Was ‘Really Inappropriate’

Weeks removed from an open revolt from his own police force that had officers turning their backs on him, Mayor Bill de Blasio now declares he has moved past the rift, striking a tenuous truce with a strategy to stay above the fray and public opinion that eventually soured on the cops’ behavior.

While he acknowledged much work remains to repair the hard feelings over the chokehold death of Eric Garner, de Blasio told The Associated Press he has regained the footing to move on to other matters, including an agenda he plans to outline in next week’s State of the City address.

“It was a perfect storm. It was based on two tragedies. The death of Eric Garner and the murder of these two officers. People felt pain all around,” de Blasio said in an interview Friday. “I do believe things are much better. I believe the dialogue is moving forward.”

It was the biggest crisis of the Democrat’s year-old administration. Rank-and-file police had already been distrustful of him over his plans to reform such enforcement tactics as stop and frisk, and for his ties to the Rev. Al Sharpton, a fierce police critic.

“I didn’t understand how vile some of the language was,” he said. “I wish I had understood better because there’s no question in my mind it was unacceptable behavior even if Constitutionally protected.”

But while anger has cooled, tensions remain and the crisis could flare again.

“De Blaiso did a good job. He remained steadfast in what he believed,” said Joseph Mercurio, a longtime political consultant. “But these police union leaders have long been at odds with mayors. I imagine it will happen again.”

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