Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: Bill Maher Calls NYPD "New York's Whiniest" While Blasting Work Slowdown
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 10, 2015
Modified Jan 10, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 10, 2015
Modified Jan 10, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The NYPD's work slowdown was Bill Maher's final topic for "New Rules," and he really went to town on them. Maher wondered, "When did the NYPD start suffering from PMS? Seriously, if our deal with the police is that we have to constantly reassure them how much we love them unless they throw a tantrum, we're not supporting them. We're dating them."
Maher noted that cops are sad, saying things like, "Cops have feelings too" and "There are people out there who don't like us." Maher said, "Yes, because you choke them to death. Probably not you specifically and I'm sure not all cops, but there is a problem. When did the police become infallible? No matter what they do, they always say it was by the book. Put six slugs into an unarmed man from the seat of their car? By the book. Strangle a handcuffed guy to death? By the book. Kill a 12-year-old who had a toy gun? By the book. Maybe they need to get a new book."
"New York's whiniest," Maher continued, "has been staging a virtual work stoppage to teach Mayor Bill de Blasio a lesson for not saying he loves them enough. Citations for traffic violations, public drinking, public urination are all down 94%." Then guest Jay Leno interjected, "YES!"
"Drug arrests are down 84%, parking violations down 92%," Maher said, "so it's a great time to visit new York, get drunk, stoned and urinate out the window of your double-parked car."
As Native New Yorker Jake Dobkin wrote about the NYPD work slowdown: "All New Yorkers respect good cops and appreciate them doing their jobs and keeping us safe for marauding criminals on the subway and in the streets. We're just uncool with the bad cops, the careless or dangerous ones who occasionally kill innocent people for no reason. Those guys we don't respect, and no amount of bullying is going to get us to respect them. You can bully someone into fearing you, but respect has to be earned. And so, at least on that score, this tactic seems doomed to backfire."
Tagged
bill maher
mayor de blasio
nypd
nypd slowdown
police union
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: NYC comptroller backs off investing city pension funds in Israel bonds
Because Mark Levine pledged to make the investment during his campaign, here are your early links: A mini T-Rex skeleton on display at Sotheby's, New Yorkers love a fancy bird, excellent chalupas in Corona and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 15, 2026 at 8:34 a.m. ET
NYPD investigating after 5-year-old Queens girl found dead
Police responded to a call from her mother after an assault.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
NYPD investigating after 5-year-old Queens girl found dead
Police responded to a call from her mother after an assault.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Hochul, Blakeman offer opposing visions for jobs to stem New York exodus
By
Jimmy Vielkind
Hannah-Jones, NYC schools chancellor set to speak at high-stakes integration town hall
By
Jessica Gould
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .