Eleven New York State Police Unions representing over 200,000 law enforcement officers have signed onto a joint letter condemning state officials for using violent riots in the wake of George Floyd’s death as leverage for political purposes.

Last week, thousands of protestors grew violent, torching and looting businesses and attacking police.

Looting @ Macy's Herald Square – New York City#looting #looting2020 @Macys #NewYork #NewYorkCity @BBCBreaking @DieTagespresse @FoxNews @BBCWorld @Oe24at @cnni @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/eYbVHbMQaV

— Paul Van Duke (@PaulVanDuke1) June 2, 2020

“New York State is in crisis. For the past week we have witnessed a level of civil unrest – too often accompanied by violence and destruction – that our state has not seen in a generation,” the groups wrote. “As law enforcement professionals, we share the universal desire for healing and positive change. At this time, however, the first priority of government must be to restore peace and stability. No rational policy discussion can take place against a backdrop of burning police vehicles and looted store fronts.”

Groups representing 200,000+ law enforcement officers in NY State joined together to condemn actions of the NYS Legislature & Governor in using the current crisis to hastily push through legislation to diminish public safety & make the job of all LEO’s more difficult & dangerous. pic.twitter.com/vZyMoTZj71

— NYCPBA Legal (@NYCPBA_GC) June 9, 2020

Some politicians in the state are seizing on the opportunity to push forward legislation to further regulate the police departments, the unions wrote, adding that the police are occupied with protecting citizens and their property that they haven’t been able to fully voice their dissent.

“This is reminiscent of the legislative process of 2019 that resulted in passage of significant changes to the bail and discovery statutes. Those amendments were infamously drafted with little to no input or discussion with law enforcement and the district attorneys and were included in the State budget. The resulting public outrage regarding the circumstances in which these amendments were enacted and the impact of these changes upon the public and public safety forced the Legislature and Governor Cuomo to significantly amend the law earlier this year – after only being in effect for three months,” they added.

The group also noted concerns over attacks targeting law enforcement and said that the legislative agenda will ‘destroy the morale of law enforcement, subvert our rights and standing in the community, and expose us to increased risk.’

This week, the State’s legislature has already passed an initial reform package, which includes a ban on chokeholds and racial profiling, according to reports.