The following is a condensed version of the original story. In the

The following is a condensed version of the original story.

In the recent rising wave of tension between the police and the public, a few Chinese names caught the attention of the community. These include Peter Liang, a rookie cop who killed an innocent African American by accident, Philip Chan, who was attacked by out-of-control protesters, and Wenjian Liu, the Brooklyn cop who was murdered, together with his partner Rafael Ramos, in their patrol car by a cold-blooded revengeful extremist.

The murder case shocked the entire police force. At the 5th precinct in Chinatown, a metal fence was erected in front of the gate for protection. A police officer also was dispatched to stand at the gate as a guard. And some Chinese police officers asked: Who would speak for us?

A police officer who doesn’t want to be named was stricken by sadness when talking about the latest incident. “This is such a tragedy. Who would speak for us cops? Where is Grace Meng?” he asked. [Meng is a Chinese American congresswoman.] He said the murder of officers Liu and Ramos is only part of a series of actions against police officers in recent days. There was also a tire slashing spree against police cars, which unnerved him. He said: “Cops, including Asian cops, are in danger now. Those people (the extremists) only need an excuse for their illegal activities. Now the NYPD is their excuse and target.”

The police officer also blamed Mayor de Blasio and some politicians. “The politicians only think of their own interests. People should vote for representatives who can really represent them.”

Another Chinese police officer said it is the right of protestors to agree or not agree with the police. “But it is wrong to attack police officers on Brooklyn Bridge. And this became the harbinger for the later fatal brutality.”

The auxiliary officers of the NYPD also got notice on Dec. 21 asking them to suspend their patrolling. A Chinese auxiliary officer said: “When I heard that yesterday, I was not pleased.” He said like police officers, auxiliary officers also work on maintaining safety in the community. But they are not paid and have no weapons. And in the current overheated situation, both police officers and auxiliary officers working in unsafe neighborhoods are in danger.

He said although the latest murder is an individual case, some protestors have clearly extended their anger against some police to the entire police and auxiliary force. And this is a very dangerous signal. “Now it seems you are not safe as long as you wear a uniform,” he said.

The auxiliary officer, who also wished to remain anonymous, said that if the tension between the police and the public doesn’t ease, the Chinese may suffer greatly. A broken relationship between the police and the community will impede the job of the police. Many new Chinese immigrants from Fujian province run their takeout restaurants in the neighborhoods where crime rates are high, and they rely on the police to protect them. “If the police cannot do their job, Chinese people working for these restaurants will be in danger.”

James Ng, Chairman of the Asian Jade Society, an association of Asian police officers, sent his condolences to the families of Liu and Ramos. He said he would try his best to provide help to the families.

Talking about Officer Liu, Ng said: “We are very sad for the fall of a good brother of ours. He was killed at work. He is a hero.” He said to the Liu family the loss is devastating. “It must be very hard for them to accept the fact that their loved one has gone. But they won’t be alone. We are ready to offer our hands at any time.”

Source: Sing Tao Daily translated by Rong Xiaoqing from Chinese via www.voicesofny.org