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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly gets rave reviews for handling of Empire State shootings - Talk of run for New York mayor against Christine Quinn will be revived

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly gets rave reviews for handling of Empire State shootings - Talk of run for New York mayor against Christine Quinn will be revived

Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 08:20 AM

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New York City Police Commisioner Ray Kelly

New York is lucky to have in Police Commissioner Ray Kelly a man who inspires confidence and embodies authority when a crisis hits New York.

Yesterday, when a gunman shot a former co-worker and two police officers shot him dead at the Empire State Building, Kelly was on the scene in a flash and within two hours had issued a complete account of what happened to the massed ranks of press.

It was a typical Kelly performance, crisp, confident and all business. Ironically standing behind him was the woman he could face in a race for New York Mayor next year if he so chooses to run.

Republicans in the city salivate at the idea that Kelly might run for them in 2013. He is the only candidate they could lure who could win the office. While he has not ruled out a run, it might take a lot for the 70-year-old to throw his hat in the ring.

Christine Quinn, the City Council speaker, took the opportunity of the shooting and the fact that it occurred in the district she represents to look tough on crime and tie herself to the popular mayor and police commissioner.

In every camera shot she was square jawed and serious, standing either directly beside or behind the mayor and the commissioner.

The word is Kelly and Quinn are not bosom buddies and the body language between them certainly indicated that.

It is easy to see why. According to polls, Quinn is easily outstripping her Democratic opponents and Kelly may be the only remaining block to her becoming mayor.

Kelly would certainly have a major shot, especially in the white Catholic boroughs where he would be very popular.

Chances are that he won’t run but it is no sure thing. In his response to the Empire State Building killings, Kelly showed again his calmness under pressure and ability to inspire confidence and a feeling of security.

Those are handy attributes if you are thinking of getting into the political game.

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| Aug 26, 2012, 02:29 PM EDT

I do not fault Commissioner Kelly for the shooting spree in New York City in which the police hit one shooter and nine by-standers. The by-standers hit might just as easily been killed - but for the grace of God. Then what would the good commissioner say? This reminds me of the 1999 fiasco, also in NYC, where four plain clothes police officers were pursuing an unarmed young man late at night for unclear reasons, who was simply returning to his apartment. When confronted he reached for his wallet to show his ID and was promptly shot 19 times - out of 41 shots fired. All four officer fired at close range. Amadou Diallo almost made it home safely but it was not to be. All four officers were acquitted of any wrong-doing. Minimally, the guys in mid-town need a lot more time on the firing range, not to mention the much harder discipline of exercising good judgement. Were it not so serious this would be farcical.

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mairint | Aug 25, 2012, 10:03 PM EDT

Whatever the logistics re shots and flowerpots, it did seem too many people were injured, but with all the multiple killings being confined in this case to the shooter and his target, the outcome could have been much worse without the police interference. Ray Kelly for Mayor? At least he acknowledges his God given gender. Good idea. Go for it Ray.

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Oldwildrover | Aug 25, 2012, 09:04 PM EDT

As others have said...9 innocent bystanders..I can't wait to see the law suits. These cops should go back to the shooting range.

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thetint | Aug 25, 2012, 07:57 PM EDT

Is this Kelly's own version of shock and awe?

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Renelda M. | Aug 25, 2012, 07:39 PM EDT

I cannot imagine from whom these "rave reviews" about Kelly are coming. The concensus from citizens is that the NYPD officers went way overboard in trying to capture one man, and because of this poor judgment wounded 9 innocent pedestrians. That's not a rave review.

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RichardP | Aug 25, 2012, 06:40 PM EDT

Sixteen shots were fired by the two officers. Ten hit the suspect, three hit bystanders and the remaining three missed everyone. In all the circumstances I think some of the hysteria by the likes of krisdaly and StRoibard shows their bias. As for Hollaback girl - at least get your facts straight before you then distort them

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seanaci | Aug 25, 2012, 05:26 PM EDT

According to Kelly the injuries were caused by "..."flowerpots and other objects around..." that redirected the police fusillade at bystanders. He gets rave reviews for that?

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krisdaly | Aug 25, 2012, 03:55 PM EDT

Ray Kelly should be really proud of his NYPD officers after they shot 9 innocent bystanders. I really think his officers should do better than "spray and pray"!! His officers need some "GUN CONTROL" to learn how NOT to shoot the innocent!!

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StRoibard | Aug 25, 2012, 03:31 PM EDT

So the police commissioner is getting accolades for this fiasco, right? Sounds right for NYC! After all, they have plenty more citizens than shooters, don't they? Might as well take out some of the litterers while we have the chance! These "elite" cops had to take down nine innocents to get one shooter ... who didn't shoot anyone! Brilliant! "Terrorist": 0; cops: 9.

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PhlutiePhan | Aug 25, 2012, 01:37 PM EDT

There had been a report of a possible terrorist attack on the building. That is why the cops were there in the first place. They see someone shooting. He could have been a suicide bomber. There were evidently elite cops and well trained with definite orders to follow. These were not just traffic cops who happened to be walking by. They had definite orders. Obviously, they were expecting something and reacted accordingly.

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Canadian | Aug 25, 2012, 12:13 PM EDT

I agree with hollabackgurl. Maybe more time on the range instead of just firing the 12 shots per year to qualify.

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hollabackgurl | Aug 25, 2012, 11:16 AM EDT

Two New York City cops shot ten people outside the Empire State Building. I'm not sure this reflects well on Ray Kelly.

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handsome68 | Aug 25, 2012, 10:29 AM EDT

I heard that the best way to deter, for example, a great white shark is to punch (it) in the snout. I can say with personal knowledge that the best way to keep grizzly bears away is to make a lot of noise before they see you. In Libby Montana, my host, a local, didn't bother to tell me I'd be alone in grizzly country. haha, funny. A taste of Montana humo(u)r.

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TisEyerish | Aug 25, 2012, 10:03 AM EDT

I don't know if praise is in order...after all, several by-standers were shot by the police. Having said, though, if they weren't so busy gawking, rather than going about their business, they probably wouldn't have been hit. First rule of thumb...you hear shots fired, either run or lay flat on the ground. Neither of these insure your safety, but at least you will know you tried to do something to protect yourself. Most of this comment is tongue-in-cheek, BTW...just so you know!

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