De Blasio meets in private with police union leaders

Undoubtedly hoping to quell criticism from the police force, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio met with police union leaders Tuesday as the city prepared to bury a second slain officer this coming weekend.

It's not known what officials said in the private meeting, but a de Blasio spokesman said the session was "focused on building a productive dialogue and identifying ways to move forward together."

"The mayor and police commissioner remain committed to keeping crime in New York City at historically low levels, supporting the brave men and women in uniform who protect us every day, and finding ways to bring police and the community closer together," spokesman Phil Walzak said in a statement.

But the leader of New York's top police union said there was no detente with the city leadership.

"There were a number of discussions, especially about the safety issues that our members face," said Patrick Lynch, leader of the New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. But nothing was resolved, he said.

De Blasio has faced a public revolt from the New York Police Department's union and rank and file since making comments supportive of demonstrators who were protesting the deaths of unarmed black men after confrontations with police.

Those remarks included de Blasio saying he had warned his mixed-race son to be careful around police.

Police unions also have faced criticism for their comments and actions, including from Police Commissioner William J. Bratton.

When two police officers were shot and killed in their patrol car in Brooklyn on Dec. 20 by a gunman who had vowed to avenge the deaths of African Americans, union officials said de Blasio shouldered some of the blame.

Lynch said then: "There is blood on many hands, from those that incited violence under the guise of protest to try to tear down what police officers did every day. That blood on the hands starts on the steps of City Hall in the office of the mayor."