FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK--The New York Civil Liberties Union today harshly criticized the New York Police Department for refusing to investigate a police officer who was photographed wearing a motorcycle helmet bearing an apparent endorsement of violence against women.

The photograph was taken of the officer during the recent Republican National Convention while he was riding an unmarked motor scooter. The officer's helmet bore the words "Loud Wives Lose Lives."

"Such language has no place on the person of a police officer who is on duty and is hired to uphold the law and protect the public against incidents including violence against women" said Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the NYCLU.

Added Associate Legal Director Christopher Dunn, "This message on a police undercover uniform is particularly troubling in light of recent highly publicized cases of domestic violence."

The NYCLU brought the photograph to the attention of the Police Department in a letter earlier this week. In the letter, the NYCLU asked for an investigation into the incident and called on the Police Department to take steps to ensure that this kind of message was removed. In response, a police spokesperson made public comments dismissing the NYCLU's concerns.

"It is stunning that the Police Department just doesn't get it," Lieberman said. "How can they hold police officers accountable to protect women's rights when their own undercover message promotes violence against women? And how can women be confident that the NYPD will protect their rights?"