Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge lawmakers praise Bratton

Golden: His policies have greatly impacted the quality of life

August 3, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Police Commissioner William Bratton’s resignation announcement Tuesday led Bay Ridge elected officials to praise his crime-fighting efforts. AP photo/Richard Drew, File
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Police Commissioner William Bratton’s surprising announcement Tuesday that he will retire in September was quickly followed by words of praise from elected officials in Bay Ridge, a community where police-community relations have always been solid.

State Sen. Marty Golden (R-C-Bay Ridge-Southwest Brooklyn), who is a retired police officer, said Bratton’s tenure made a positive impact on the city.

“Bratton’s policing policies have greatly impacted the quality of life in Boston, Los Angeles and here in New York,” said Golden, noting the cities Bratton has worked in. “Bratton has been an advocate of the broken windows theory, ethnically diverse police force, maintaining a strong relationship with the community, tackling police corruption, being tough on gangs and having a strict no-tolerance of disruptive behavior. Despite difficult challenges, Commissioner Bratton has conducted himself with dignity, strength and professionalism.”

Bratton was sworn into his office in January of 2014 to replace Raymond Kelly. He had previously served as the commissioner of the Boston Police Department (1993–1994) and the NYPD (1994–1996) and served as chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (2002–2009).

During his first tenure at the NYPD he worked under Rudolph Giuliani, but Bratton left amid rumored clashes with the mayor.

Councilmember Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst) said Bratton has been successful in juggling many aspects of his job, from combating street crime to fighting terrorism.

“From community policing to keeping this city safe in the face of terrorism threats to instilling new lows in crime rates citywide, there was none better than Commissioner Bratton. I thank him for his service to this city, and I extend best wishes to him on his future endeavors,” Gentile said in a statement.

During his time as the city’s top cop, Bratton received credit for keeping crime down and for deftly navigating tensions between police and minority communities, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

“We will never forget or fail to honor the achievements of Bill Bratton,” AP quoted Mayor Bill de Blasio as saying.

On Bratton’s watch, the NYPD scaled back its controversial “stop-and-frisk” policy.

The mayor also announced on Tuesday that Chief of Department James O’Neill would become the city’s new police commissioner. O’Neill has been chief of department, the city’s highest uniformed cop, since November of 2014.

Gentile said he has high hopes for O’Neill.

“Fortunately, I have gotten to know Chief O’Neill over the years, and so to know that he will become the new police commissioner is good and reassuring news. And the fact that he will be keeping much of the top brass at the NYPD indicates that the good work of the department will continue,” the councilmember said.

 

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