NYPD Commissioner William Bratton Announces Resignation

NYPD Commissioner William Bratton (right) announced his resignation.

NYPD Commissioner William Bratton Announces Resignation

NYPD Commissioner William Bratton, the head of the largest police department in the USA, has announced that his resignation will occur next month. Bratton’s retirement comes as he is accepting an undisclosed job in the private sector.

Calling his accomplishments “literally inestimable and extraordinary,” de Blasio credited Brattonwith pushing the city’s crime levels to historic lows and working to repair relations between the department and the communities it protects. Mayor Bill de Blasio had appointed Bratton after he was elected in 2013. Bratton had previously been the commissioner under Mayor Rudolph W. Guiliani in the mid-90s.

Bratton’s replacement will be Chief James P. O’Neill, who has been with NYPD since 1983. Mayor de Blasio said Chief O’Neill would reflect the “shared vision” of the current administration.

Coincidentally, Bratton’s announcement came the day after 100 “Occupy City Hall” protesters started a protest at City Hall Park, demanding Bratton’s resignation. Many vowed to sleep in the park overnight and not leave until their demands were met. I guess they can all go home now.

The protesters are unlikely to be happy with Bratton’s replacement though, as O’Neill is white, and part of the old administration. NYPD is unlikely to see any major changes in the near future with the change in commissioners. O’Neill is believed to be a strong supporter of the “broken windows” theory, which holds that preventing minor infractions such as vandalism and public drinking can help lower the number of more serious crimes. This style of policing is one that protesters are calling unjust, as it can lead to deadly confrontations when somebody committing a minor offense decides to try to kill the cops when they are confronted about their behavior

We wish Mr. Bratton and Chief O’Neill the best of luck in their new positions.