New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot apologized to New York Police Department officers after she disregarded a request from the department for masks to keep officers safe.
The New York Post reported last week on Barbot’s controversial March remark to NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan after the department asked for 500,000 protective masks to prevent officers from contracting the coronavirus. In response to the request, she told the chief, “I don’t give two rats’ asses about your cops,” and said only a tenth of the request could be fulfilled.
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Barbot’s Monday apology came after the Sergeants Benevolent Association called for her removal.
“In mid-March, I was asked to provide the NYPD with a half million N-95 masks, while masks and other PPE were in terribly short supply,” she said in a statement, according to Fox News. “I wished we had sufficient numbers to meet their full request and were ultimately able to partially fulfill what was sought. This regrettably led to an argument in which words were exchanged between a police official and myself.”
“I apologized to that police official then and today, I apologize to the NYPD for leaving any impression whatsoever that I don’t have utmost respect for our police department, which plays a critical role on the frontlines each and every day to keep our city safe,” Barbot continued.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged her to apologize last week but has remained supportive of her in her professional role.
“We’re going to move forward together,” the mayor said Sunday, adding he has “a lot of respect for Barbot,” NBC New York reported.
