The Party’s Over: Cops Express Pent-Up Resentment of Pirro

Wednesday, October 25th, more than two dozen police officers, correction officers, and court officers, including Sergeant Leonard Spano, President of the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association, and Robert Buckley Vice President of the Affiliated Police Associations of Westchester, together representing more than 50 law enforcement agencies, county-wide, all but brought the curtain down on Jeanine Pirro’s career in law enforcement, as they stood shoulder- to-shoulder to endorse Democrat Andrew Cuomo for State Attorney General.

First to speak was Len Spano, brother of State Senator Nick Spano. He stated that his organization was backing Cuomo because they believe he is “a man of integrity who will bring honor and achievement to the Office,” and will “continue the good work of Eliot Spitzer.” Spano placed a Westchester County Police Officer’s windbreaker on Mr. Cuomo, to the delight of the crowd.

The next speaker, Bob Buckley minced no words, declaring, “Law enforcement officers have had difficulty working with Jeanine Pirro in Westchester, and we do not believe things would change if she were Attorney General.” He went on to point out that Pirro is currently under investigation by several law enforcement agencies, and that there were federal allegations of “leaks from her office to the Mafia.”

Pressed by a reporter to detail some of his organization’s issues with Pirro, Buckley revealed that she often caused resentment from police officers throughout Westchester by grabbing, “center stage” at police press conferences, “acting as if she had made the arrests herself.” Buckley’s comments were powerful and clearly representative of the sentiments of the law enforcement community. It was clear that those who know her best have had enough of Jeanine Pirro.

Andrew Cuomo, for his part, seemed genuinely pleased to receive the strong endorsement of Westchester’s police agencies. Speaking of his work at HUD in the area of gun control, and its importance to the safety of police officers, he promised to be an Attorney General they would be proud of. He thanked those gathered for their confidence in him.