I’m sitting in a civil trial initiated by a former female police
officer who claims she was sexually harassed by men in the NYPD.

It’s something that most people are not generally surprised to hear, but it was surprising to hear the details, which involve allegations that the resources
of the NYPD were brought to bear on her in retaliation.

According to the sworn deposition, the Police Department had at least six internal units of the NYPD investigating her.

Prior to her complaint in 1995, the former officer was given 10 years of above-average performance evaluations. After her complaint, she became a suspected drug user. She was followed, and even eventually arrested on charges that she would later be acquitted of. Her professional and home life were destroyed when she ran against the grain of the "Ol’ Boy’s Club."

My question is: If they could do this to one of their own, what chance does the average person have?

If someone on the street — without the resources to do battle with the Big Blue Behemoth — crosses a cop in some dispute, are they at equal or higher risk of being personally "nuked" ?

I’ve been in the courtroom on several occasions when police officers have testified. On this day, the accused officers were the epitome of "old school" cops. They seemed arrogant, gleeful and indifferent to the damage they were accused of having caused. While many of these "type" are retiring, still too many of them are in white shirts, setting policy and giving orders.

A practice and pattern of unacceptable mentality which is exhibited by some of these officers trickles down. I’m concerned about us – the people, who would be at the end of that sludge drip.

We’ve all heard stories or know people who say, "There’s a big conspiracy" to get them. I’m telling you, I’m not so sure now who to dismiss and who to believe. How many of our sons are sitting in prisons because crooked if not vindictive cops targeted them?

Unfortunately the only way to really affect change in the force seems to be the most distasteful. To flush out this sludge, the NYPD needs more fresh blood: Our blood.

That terrible discrimination against black and Latin cops in the late 70s and early 80s has left a literal black hole in the department. The gaps in power are huge and will get worse before they get better because there are few men and women of color in the ever- important inspector and chief positions that lead to borough, division, and unit commands.

I would ask those of you considering a career in public service to consider the police force.

Don’t laugh . . . just listen for a minute.

Remember the armed services 50 or even just a few years ago? Who knew then that they would ever put a black man in charge of all the guns? But the country did.

Young men and women — like so many before them — would be soldiers in not just the war on crime. They would be social soldiers, positioning themselves for power in the police department. For those select individuals, it could not and should not be looked at as simply a job or even a career. It would have to be a mission – a crusade to make the city’s real soldiers worthy of trust and thus make life safer for our people.

I tell you, when I’m on the street and I see a brother or sister in uniform, I really feel safe. I mean, I can look at them and know we have a shared struggle. They don’t look at me the same way other cops from Long Island do . . . cops who don’t watch my station or read my column. I don’t mean racist stares or angry glares . . . I mean I don’t see the indifference which to me is more dangerous in a cop.

So if you can’t or won’t consider wearing the blue as a career, at least don’t make it the second job of those who do to get your respect.

If you are already walking the thin blue line: Hang in there. Reinforcements are on the way.

— Gary Anthony Ramsay is a weekend anchor and
journalist on the all-news cable station NY1
and a long-time resident of Queens.