Fifth Annual Police Recognition Service

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Sandy Burrell

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Jun 5, 2019, 7:17:42 AM6/5/19
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This past Sunday was the Fifth Annual Police Recognition Service at our church. Its usually done in July. However my priest moved it to June. The service began as an idea where my priest reached out to the local precinct following the deaths of Mike Brown and Eric Garner. The commanding officer at the time was expecting bad news and was surprised to hear good news for a change. 

In a nutshell everyone knows in the wake of their deaths there was a negative feeling towards cops. In an effort to try and heal the wounds between police and the community this event was started. Initially what began with two precincts grew to include all Bronx based precincts. Along with an awards ceremony, prayers are offered as well. As usual we have a Bishop present. However also this year along with visiting local police we had local politicians in attendance.

On a side note whenever a bishop visits everyone looks to me for advice on how to take care of the bishop. During an exchange with Bishop St. John, he stated that he recognized me from helping out at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. My reputation proceeds me at times apparently. It was a privilege having him visit us. And nice to work with the police with things aside from the Palm Sunday March. Just wanted to share this with you guys. Take care and well wishes from the Cathedral of the Bronx. 



Sandy Burrell
Acolyte Verger
St. Luke's Bronx, NY
 "…came not to be served but to serve…"
(Mark 10:45)

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Tom Hurwitz, verger, Cathedral St. John the Divine

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Jun 5, 2019, 1:02:28 PM6/5/19
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Hi Sandy

I agree that recognition of the police is important. In the Bronx, as in New York as a whole, I'm sure you have seen the tendency of many of the police to rest on their laurels and not see the need to improve their practices in difficult situations, their communication and their relations with the community. I hope that as a church we also honor the victims of police misconduct (two of whom you name) as well,  as a way to approach healing without glossing over the real problems that we face as a city. We need and respect good policing. We need to fight the tendency for police presence to become social control and bullying. We need to actively stand with the poor and powerless, as I know St. Ann's does.
With great respect
Tom
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