Melissa Andrade commended as April’s ‘Cop of the Month’ in the 84th Precinct

Her insight closed numerous domestic violence cases

May 26, 2024 Mary Frost

From left: 84th Precinct Community Council President Mark Gelbs, Police Officer Melissa Andrade, and the 84th Precinct’s Commanding Officer Captain Thomas Maffei. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

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DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Police Officer Melissa Andrade was commended on Tuesday as the 84th Precinct’s April “Cop of the Month” for her insightful actions which closed out numerous domestic violence cases in the precinct, which includes Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Downtown Brooklyn and Vinegar Hill.

“Domestic violence in the Precinct is down, largely due to her efforts,” 84th Precinct’s Commanding Officer Captain Thomas Maffei said at an award ceremony during the monthly meeting of the 84th Precinct Community Council at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Andrade, a member of the Domestic Violence team at the 84th, was in the field on April 10 conducting a follow-up visit when she heard a police broadcast citing an address that she recognized, Maffei told the crowd.

“The reason she recognized it was because it was the address of a previous incident of domestic violence,” Maffei said. “She had been dealing with that couple on numerous occasions. She knew the victim, she knew the perpetrator, she knew the apartment. When she heard the 911 call, she responded, already knowing what she was looking for.”

Based on this insight, “P.O. Andrade apprehended a chronic domestic violence perpetrator, not only making a felony arrest, but able to close out numerous other cases the defendant was currently wanted for,” Maffei said.

Andrade received a round of applause from community members as she received her award from Maffei and 84th Precinct Community Council President Mark Gelbs.

Community Council meetings typically take place on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, 209 Joralemon St.