As is the case with any job, there are several ways to address a workplace dispute. The same is true at the New York Police Department, where the tensions that come through dealing with conflict as it plays out in the public, can often spill over between officers into a squad car or precinct locker room. And of course, then there's just the clashing of personalities, violation of personal boundaries, and more petty rifts that drag into any social space. Good thing at the NYPD they've got "Smokers," where cops can slug it out with their fists when paperwork and words just won't solve a problem.
Smokers are fight club events that the department has a long tradition of holding, that date back to an earlier time New York police culture. Some might be surprised to learn that they still go on, as the New York Daily News reported that John Jay College of Criminal Justice professor and former NYPD officer Eugene O'Donnell is. “It’s a counter-cultural throwback, especially in this era where there are restrictions on the way people interact with each other in the workplace,” O'Donnell told the publication, as it explored the world of conflict resolution in the department, to find that such events haven't only survived, they've thrived and now entertain thousands of off-duty officers who attend the well-organized functions to have a good time out while supporting friends and co-workers.
“This is the way to do it. Settle your differences the old fashioned way — punch a guy in the face!” said FDNY battalion chief Phil Tufano, who emceed a smoker event dubbed The Luck of the Irish Boxing Tournament at Resorts World Casino in Queens, NY on St. Patrick's Day. Tufano is long familiar with smokers, as they are also held for firemen who wish to squash beef before a rousing crowd. “It’s better than mitigation and other nonsense,” he says. What's more, proceeds from the fights go towards charity. The Atlas Cops & Kids Foundation benefited from Thursday's [March 16] tournament.
The event consisted of a 13-bout fight card, followed by the five grudge matches between 10 officers and supervisors, that department personnel came to see. The conflicts rooted in their rivalries ranged from disputes over vacation and requests for days off, as was the case with officer Peter Yuen, who issued a smoker challenge to Sgt. Anthony Petroglia of Brooklyn's 77th Precinct for refusing to grant him leave - to officers taking issue with the attitude or tone a colleague addresses them with. “This kid needs to be taught a lesson,” said officer Haddi Chalati of the 113th Precinct in Jamaica, Queens, who fought officer Yevgeniy Zaytsev over him continually mocking his status as a newbie in the department. “He’s got a big mouth. He doesn’t know the right time to joke and be serious. He’s the type of guy who can dish it out, but not take it back, so I called him out,” he said.
The fights are scheduled to go three rounds, with each round being timed at 1-minute. The officers wear headgear and professional gloves and follow the regulations any state-sanctioned boxing match would, with a referee facilitating the action. Officers keep it clean for the most part, but they are known to really put conviction behind their blows. One cop suffered a dislocated shoulder during the St. Patrick's Day tournament, causing an early stoppage in the match. But most come out having gotten matters off of their chest, with many confirming that having an opportunity to air out their grievances brought them closer together.
“In any job you always have that one guy where you say, ‘Ah! I want to get that guy today!’” Emergency Service Unit Truck officer Rob Cruz, who is a member of the NYPD Boxing Team club told the New York daily. “We’re able to settle it in a different way — in a way where we shake hands at the end.”
Source: nydailynews.com
