Ex-NYPD Captain Running For Council Seat in Staten Island; Decries Police Cuts

A retired NYPD Captain has announced his candidacy for a City Council seat in Staten Island being vacated by Michael McMahon with his election to the U.S. Congress, and his platform includes giving firefighters guns and policing powers during emergencies.

The Chief-Leader/Michael O'Kane A LAW-AND-ORDER GUY: Former Police Capt. Paul Saryian announces his candidacy for City Council at Staten Island Borough Hall, running on a platform that includes shielding the NYPD from cutbacks in police jobs and deputizing firefighters to help maintain order in emergencies.

Wants Hospital, More Cops

Paul Saryian, a 23-year veteran of the Police Department, wants an equitable number of police officers for his borough as well as another Health and Hospital Corporation facility on Staten Island. He said he would also be an opponent to staffing cuts to the NYPD in tough economic times.

"In view of the fact that more than 5,000 officers have been lost to attrition or retirement since 2000, I believe we need to be prepared here in New York City for another catastrophe like 9/11," he said. He opposes the recent postponement of a new precinct stationhouse in Staten Island, adding that more police are needed. "Policing is one of the last things you should cut back on," he said.

"Wealth is the great peacemaker," the former cop opined. "We are now heading toward a period where we have turned a corner and the days of wine and roses are over. In bad times logic dictates property crimes are going to go up and we need more police officers."

The recently retired Captain said there was not much fat left to cut in the NYPD. "These guys are overworked," he said. "You can't get blood from a turnip."

Would Deputize Firefighters

Mr. Saryian also had a more novel suggestion for policing the city: give Firefighters guns and deputize them to police during crises. "Our National Guard is stretched thin," he said. "I'm not interested in creating a police state. I'm looking to be prepared in case something bad happens." He said the plan would be voluntary and only used in worst-case scenarios.

The retired Captain said his experience as an executive officer taught him how to lead and manage officers, skills he could transfer to the City Council. He also said his voice was badly needed because he could think only of three former cops who are currently in city politics. "This is my opportunity to be the voice of the people, the blue-collar workers, the people who can't speak for fear about politics for fear of losing their jobs," he said.

Mr. Saryian, who served as executive officer to three precincts including two on Staten Island, also acted as a liaison to help rebuild the Iraqi police department during a hiatus from the NYPD.