Bill O'Reilly on NYPD Recruitment Crisis and Family History

Family Legacy with the NYPD

• 🇮🇪 My grandfather, John O'Reilly, joined the NYPD after serving in World War I, continuing a family tradition that began with Irish immigrants arriving after the Civil War.
• 🏅 He was a hero in the Battle of the Argonne, one of the deadliest battles for Americans in WWI, and served 20 years with the NYPD before moving into bank security.
• 🔨 Policing in the 1920s and 30s was significantly different, and while he was a tough guy, the methods used then are not comparable to today.

NYPD Recruitment Decline

• 📉 There's been a dramatic drop in applications to become an NYPD officer, with an over 56% decline from 18,000 applicants in 2017 to 8,000 last year.
• ⚠️ This decline has led the NYPD to lower its recruitment standards, reducing college credit requirements and eliminating the GPA requirement, indicating desperation.
• 📉 The force has shrunk from a peak of 40,000 officers before 9/11 to around 34,000, with many officers retiring or moving to other agencies that offer better pay and appreciation.

Challenges Facing NYPD Officers

• 🏙️ The New York City Council, largely composed of socialists, is seen as not respecting or supporting the police, making the job harder and more dangerous.
• ⚖️ The lack of prosecution for offenses against officers by progressive district attorneys like Alvin Bragg and Marcel Clark discourages potential recruits.
• ❓ Officers face daily risks of violence, poor treatment, and a lack of system support, leading many to choose not to join the NYPD.

A Call for Change

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 If his son wanted to join the NYPD, Bill O'Reilly would support it as carrying on a family tradition but would prepare him for the extreme difficulties he would face.
• 🗳️ He emphasizes the need for a new mayor and a new city council to address the issues plaguing the NYPD and the city.