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Despite an arbitration panel?s binding decision to give members of the New York Police Department little more than half of the raises they were seeking to put them on an equal footing with policemen in surrounding areas (see Yesterday?s WIT), most are praising the leadership of their union the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA). Although the union?s membership has in the past been quick to blame union officials for contracts that fell short of expectations, support remains strong for four-year PBA president Patrick Lynch and his decision to take the contract negotiations to binding arbitration. Denouncing Mayor Michael Bloomberg?s attempts to force them to put in more time on the job to receive raises they feel they deserve for the hard work they already do, the city?s police officers condemned the administration?s and the arbitration panel?s greater emphasis on the economic hardships facing the city than on their sacrifices for the city.