As we approach the holiday season that in many quarters ascribes “peace on earth and good will toward men“, the NYPD, in their desperate attempt to clean up their image following the various controversial incidents involving the department as of late, has decided to take credit for one officer’s kind hearted gesture.

The police officer is Lawrence DePrimo, who gave a pair of boots to a barefoot homeless man. Jennifer Foster the communications director for the Public Safety Communications Division of the Pinal County, Ariz., Sheriff’s Office, just happened to be in the area when the event took place and managed to snap a picture of the officer giving away the footwear.

There has been an inordinate amount of media hype surrounding the good will of this good cop who offered a hand of charity to a homeless person. News outlets have spun his deed in such a…