Amid the protests calling for police reform, the police have frequently responded similarly by playing the victim.
After three police officers in New York City had consumed milkshakes that made them ill, police unions in the city alleged the incident was a purposeful “attack” on cops. But an investigation of the matter later found that it was accidental, not criminal.
Three officers on protest detail in New York City had visited a Shake Shack location and purchased milkshakes, later becoming sick and requiring visits to the hospital. The officers were released shortly after, but the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (NYC PBA), the largest union of police officers in New York, slammed the company for purportedly hurting the officers on purpose.
“When NYC police officers cannot even take [a] meal without coming under attack, it is clear that environment in which we work has deteriorated to a critical level,” NYC PBA said in a tweet on the matter. “We cannot afford to let our guard down for even a moment.”
Another New York police union, the Detectives’ Endowment Association, released a similar statement, claiming the officers were “intentionally poisoned” after initial reports of the incident came out.
Neither police union had evidence to back up their claims. Indeed, after NYPD conducted an investigation into the milkshake incident, it was determined on Tuesday morning that no criminal action had taken place.
