The NYPD said the photographs were made because the NYPD is aware of and applauds every woman's dignity as a woman in the New York City Police Department. The NYPD said the photos, which were taken as part of a special sweep that targeted domestic situations and incidents involving victims of domestic violence, were in retaliation for the photo's use in a series of videos recently released. The NYPD declined to specify who was responsible or which agency was involved in the distribution, but said, The Department of Social Services considers itself to have no affiliation whatsoever to these incidents that have occurred and that reflect systemic injustices against women. The NYPD also said that at least one of the photos had been viewed by thousands. Follow Stories Like This Get the Monitor stories you care about delivered to your inbox. Police Commissioner James O'Neill said the department would now begin issuing an active stop order against anyone who would distribute or use these images to promote hate speech, bigotry, harassment, or assault, and to bring those behind bars to federal facilities for community service.