The longtime leader of New York City’s largest police union has been re-elected after drawing national attention for clashing with the city’s mayor.
Four-term Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch faced a challenge from trustee Brian Fusco. Fusco conceded Friday.
Lynch was first elected president of the 24,000-member union in 1999. He became a national figure during a public battle with Mayor Bill de Blasio last winter, after a grand jury declined to indict an officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner.
When two police officers were killed weeks later, Lynch said there was “blood on the hands” of the mayor, suggesting he had given anti-police protests too much leeway.
Tensions have since cooled.
The PBA remains the lone police union without a contract. It’s in arbitration.
