IN HONOR OF OFFICER MIOSOTIS FAMILIA, NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT
National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers Condemns the Ambush Attack and Assassination of Officer Miosotis Familia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dated: Thursday July 06, 2017
The National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers Board of Directors and General Membership, both as a body of career law enforcement professionals and individual members of the various African American communities we serve, join with the members of the New York Police Department in condemning the recent murder of Officer Miosotis Familia. This cowardly and despicable act should be considered more heinous having been perpetrated against a uniformed officer, who was positioned in the heart of the community to protect its citizens. It must, and should, be repudiated by all sensible and responsible persons, regardless of their racial background.
While all must recognize that there is an ever growing divide between law enforcement and those we are sworn to both protect and serve, and that there are, in fact, some members of our profession who are a detriment to those of us who work tirelessly each day to make a significant difference in the life of our communities, no amount of anger and frustration about the ills of the system should be used as a cause or excuse to assault or assassinate law enforcement officers who are simply doing their job. Regardless of community perceptions and beliefs pertaining to issues concerning police abuse, misconduct and excessive force, irrespective of the beliefs of those who wish to create mayhem – this is not the way to secure and sustain community justice.
It must be painfully clear to all that this act of evil, vicious violence has no place in our communities, just as the past and continued unnecessary death of unarmed young black men at the hands of police officers has no place. Yet this wanton act of cowardice will only serve to further increase the likelihood that police officers will react more aggressively, and sometimes haphazardly, when addressing the needs of the Black community.
The loss of any member of our law enforcement family is a burden that is shared by all who have chosen to dedicate themselves to serve and protect our communities, transcends the barriers of race and ethnicity, and brings despair to all who wear the uniform and badge.
We honor the service of Officer Miosotis Familia, whose life was taken so suddenly and needlessly. She was a mother of three and respected 12 year veteran of the New York Police Department, who was assigned to the 46th Precinct’s Anti-Crime Unit. We share the grief of her family, friends, and co-workers, and extend our deepest, heartfelt condolences to the entire New York Police Department, even while knowing that these sentiments are not enough.
Yet we shall also rejoice in her coming unto The Lord, Our God and Savior, for He, in His Great Omnipotence and Wisdom, has called her to His side. For He is the arbiter of our fate, and in Him lies our strength and redemption.
The National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers, Inc, a 501.(c).(3) non-profit, is a premier national organization representing the interests and concerns of African American, Latino and other criminal justice practitioners of color serving in law enforcement, corrections, and investigative agencies throughout the United States, and the communities in which they serve.
