The media cannot legitimately praise the New York Police Department for busting crime. So instead, the media celebrates the New York Police Department’s dance team for busting moves.
The NYPD’s deputy commissioner of employee relations founded the force’s Health and Wellness Section in 2019 to “combat mental health stigma” and “create mental and physical health resources” for its members. The section coordinates various optional programs for employees, including the Stress Management and Self Care Group, the Grief and Bereavement support group, and Women’s Wellness support group. Additionally, the section has established more than 20 recreational activities and NYPD sports teams, including teams for lacrosse, archery, bowling, cycling, basketball, and golf.
“Department sports teams increase the potential for officers from across bureaus to interact in a healthy and positive relationship,” reads an NYPD website. “These teams boost morale and bring much needed camaraderie to members of the service.”
One of the many recreational groups is the NYPD Dance Team, which was founded in 2022 and rehearses two to three times a week. The troupe performs at schools and during half-times of the NYPD’s sports games, as well as at other venues. The dance team has been featured in outlets such as the New York Times and the local Fox affiliate, and just last week, it showed off a routine on television.
“We have a lot of things we see on the job, from any kind of robbery or any kind of, you know, just any kind of crime,” said the president of the dance squad. “So we have to have a space to decompress.”
There is no better possible use of taxpayer funds, especially in a city that had an estimated 27 murders, 102 rapes, and 1,417 robberies in January 2024 alone. After watching the routine, I feel much safer. I wouldn’t have guessed that twerking to Flo Rida would combat New York City’s record-high overdoses. I look forward to watching the cops groove to Pitbull after I call to report someone getting mugged on the subway.