New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had an opportunity after the Eric Garner case to improve police relations with the community, but he blew it, a former New York City police officer told CNN.
"I think he should resign in shame," former officer Dan Bongino said Tuesday on
"Anderson Cooper 360." "Mayor de Blasio has provided absolutely atrocious leadership throughout this incident."
After a Staten Island grand jury declined to indict a white police officer in the death of a black man, Eric Garner, during an arrest, earlier this year, the mayor could have talked about improved training and increased patrols so people in the community could get to know officers, Bongino said.
Instead, he said, de Blasio "basically accused the entire police department … of racism."
Bongino did part ways with police union head Pat Lynch, who said de Blasio has "blood on his hands" after two NYPD officers were shot and killed on Saturday.
Still, de Blasio "picked the worst way to handle this" and now has "absolutely zero credibility" with the diverse group of police officers he still keeps in contact with, Bongino said.
"He's a general going into battle with no warriors behind him," he said.
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