Blakeman Vows to Pardon Convicted Cops if Elected
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Blakeman has criticized recent convictions and promised to pardon certain officers, notably the so-called “cool cops,” on his first day in office.
As the current Nassau County executive, Blakeman, alongside other local Republican figures such as former Rep. Peter King, voiced concerns about the three-year sentence given to former Sergeant Eric Duran. Duran was convicted after fatally injuring a drug suspect by throwing a cooler in 2023.
“We’re going to pardon Officer Duran so he won’t have to spend another minute behind bars. This conviction shouldn’t tarnish his record as a father of three or as a respected police officer with 13 years of service,” Blakeman stated during a press conference in front of City Hall.
Blakeman is set to have support from Queens Republican City Council members Joanne Arriola and Vicki Palladino, as well as Salisa Komatireddy, a candidate for attorney general. He expressed that this group would work to overturn anti-police policies throughout New York state.
Komatireddy remarked, “In today’s New York, a Hispanic man committing violent crimes and in the country illegally is treated more favorably than a Hispanic man like Eric Duran. He’s the son of Ecuadorian immigrants who aimed to serve his community as a police officer.”
Arriola emphasized that obtaining change in the governor’s mansion is vital for addressing the quality-of-life dilemmas resulting from crime in New York City.
“Real change won’t happen until we reform the executive branch in Albany, which is essential for bail reform and addressing the growing crime issues we’re facing,” she noted, referring to the contentious criminal justice law.
King, whose father served over three decades with the NYPD, asserted that the ruling reflects a broader issue stemming from liberal leadership in New York.
“This environment is a product of the influences of Kathy Hochul, Letitia James, and the current mayor. It’s a whole liberal, woke movement that has taken root in the city and state,” King remarked.
Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul has not commented on the potential for a pardon in this case.
