Patrol cars used by the New York Police Department will soon bear a new motto, news that made me raise an eyebrow. Three important words — “Courtesy, Professionalism, Respect” — have been on the side of patrol cars since 1996, when this New York City kid was just 9 years old. And the N.Y.P.D.’s decision to drop the old motto — born in an era when the department was at least attempting to solicit the good will of a skeptical public — feels notable. It reminded me of a weird episode at the Police Department earlier this year when the department and several members of the top brass began using their official N.Y.P.D. social media accounts to attack a city councilwoman, a political activist and journalists.

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Persons: Rudy Giuliani, Gothamist, —, John Chell, Harry Siegel, Harry ‘, ’ Siegel, ”, Chell, Eric Adams Organizations: New York Police Department, Police Department, Daily News Locations: York City