It's unanimous: FOP won't back Rizzo

There are few guarantees in life, and even fewer in politics.

No one knows that cold, hard truth better right now than City Councilman Frank Rizzo, who learned last night that the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 won't endorse his re-election bid because of his participation in the controversial DROP program.

The FOP has backed Rizzo, the son of the former police commissioner and mayor, without fail throughout his 16-year political career.

That all changed when 300 FOP members agreed unanimously at a Board of Director's meeting not to support Rizzo, who stands to collect $194,518 from the Deferred Retirement Option Plan and then return to work if he's re-elected.

"There wasn't one person in that whole crowd who was for him," FOP President John McNesby told the Daily News.

"They sent a clear message about how important this DROP issue is to officers. If this doesn't send a message that he shouldn't take this primary for granted, I don't know what does."

Rizzo said he learned of the FOP's decision when he was contacted by the Daily News.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed," he said. "I've been pretty loyal to that membership and that leadership."

Rizzo, who also wasn't endorsed by the Republican City Committee, said he would not reconsider his decision to run.