arrived here a short time ago with his wife and went in quickly. we're waiting to hear from him and the mayor. based earlier on comments, his stepping down was not until next year. clearly, his feelings have changed. william bratton returned for the second time as commissioner when player de blasio was elected into office. bratton said as early as last week that he would anticipate of the de blasio term. >> it's never a good time to leave something that you love doing. but there's the right time. when i find the right time, after consultation with the mayor, i'll decide to go. >> reporter: bratton's career is police work is well documented heading the boston police department in the early

he then headed west to california. he then returned to new york city for the second time until his announcement to now step down. as a result of that imbending announcement, already there is reaction as they thanked the commissioner for his hard work of policing and keeping the crime rates low in the city. she says she partnering with incoming commissioner james o'neil as we work together to improve police community relations. that is a quote by her to reform practices. we are waiting for the announcement, again, with the mayor and missioner bratton as to his stepping down. that's to take place here in city hall within the next several minutes as anticipated. we'll bring it to you live. reporting live at city hall,

news." james o'neil, the chief of the department and highest uniformed member will be bratton's successor. he currently heads the unit to improve ties with blacks and hispanic neighborhoods. he started as an officer in 1983 and hob movingp -- and has been moving up ever since. we have spoken to him in the past about the challenges of the job. >> between crime and terrorism, sleep. this is my life. i'm here to make sure we keep the people of the city safe. >> i'm joined on the phone by commissioner kelly. first off, thank you so much for joining usp. >> good to be with you -- thank you so much for joining us. >> good to be with you. >> we have to know your reaction of the commissioner's decision to step down so suddenly. >> i'm surprised. i thought he indicated that he would stay for the rest of

wish him well. he, you know, has a history that's unparalleled in policing in the united states. so all the best to him. >> mr. kelly, you held this job for 12 years. it is a tough job. how difficult is it to stay in that position, keep your head about you and deal with the pressure that's coming not only from the department, the challenges of the job itself but also from the community? then you have the political component. how tough is that jo that it is a very demanding job. certain people just have it in their dna. that was my situation. i loved the job. it is demanding, takes a lot of time, and things are coming at you from many different directions. so it's, i think, it can be

that james o'neil is a very experienced police professional. he came up through the ranks, and i certainly congratulate him on assuming that position. >> certainly has been groomed for this position from the beginning. how difficult will it be for him coming into it mid-term? >> oh, i don't think so. worked with the commissioner, he has been involved in a lot of things and met with the mayor on many, many occasions. i don't think the transition is going to be that difficult. he's coming from outside of the department or if he's coming from outside of new york city, then it's much more challenging. james o'neil has sort of grown up in the police department. i think he'll do just fine. >> are there any things you think he needs to do to help

>> well, as i said, i think the transition will be fine. i think this has been apparently in the planning for a while. i assume he knew about it. so i think that they've had conversations about it. i don't see the transition as being a problem. i would hope that perhaps they can refocus on quality of life concerns in the city. i think it is an important issue. i think for a variety reasons, scripted. i hope they can get back on that track. >> joining us this afternoon. >> again, we are told that commissioner bratton's decision to step down has not been influenced by recent protests. just this morning, protesters followed the mayor around the city. >> we're hearing that the mayor is coming out right now. darla, we'll come back to you

very important day for new york city, a very good day, very meaningful day. it is a day where we, once again, recognize the extraordinary achievements of our police force in driving down crime and making our neighborhoods safer and bringing police and community closer together. we celebrate. we celebrate transition with continuity, filled with shared vision, and we celebrate taking a step into new york city's future. in september, commissioner bill bratton, whose contributions to our city and to law enforcement not only here but across the nation, are literally extraordinary. in september, commissioner bratton will retire from the nypd. we have found the perfect

in chief jimmy o'neil. i congratulate you, chief o'neill, on this very important day for the city. i will say at the outsaid, i always call him jimmy. you can call him james. you can call him jim, but i always call him jimmy. jimmy is one of the best prepared incoming commissioners this city has ever seen. his decades of experience have taught him not only how to lead to improve the extraordinary work of the mypd but also led him to the vision of neighborhood policing. that is now taking hold of the police department. he is the architect of our neighborhood policing strategy, a strategy that commissioner bratton and chief o'neill convinced me over the last few years would be the future of this city and was deserving of extraordinary investment, a

us safer and bring police and community closer together. this was the man who created that vision and he is the man who will see that vision through to fruition for the good of all new yorkers. we will never forget or fail to honor the achievements of bill bratton. he and i have developed an intense bond over these last 31 months, and i future, and i'm happy for your future, but i want you to know that this friendship, i'll miss seeing you every, single day, but this friendship and this deep, deep connection will continue. i want to thank you for all you've done for the people of new york city. >> when we think about the 31

the goal of doing two things that many said could not be done at the same time, driving down crime while repairing some of the rifts between police and community. we said both of those things had to happen. we knew it was a tough road. wherever bill bratton has gone, he's worked on both of those fronts. he had an extraordinary chief of department in jimmy o'neil to help find a path t the lowest crime we've ever seen in the history of the city while at the same time righting some the wrongs of the past, fixing a broken policy of stop and frisk, changing the relationship between police and community precinct by precinct. that work has a long what i to go. i want to emphasize that. i don't think any of us could have imagined more done in such

and the wonderful colleagues, the rest of the senior leadership has done on incredible job. by the way, one thing that's been a hallmark of bill bratton, and i know it's something jimmy o'neil believes in deeply is a sense ever a team. a team that works together where everybody gets to shine, everyone matters. it's brought out the best in down the line. that's one of the reasons you see the extraordinary success. we remember what the city used to be like. a lot of us lived it. over 2,000 murders a year, quality of life offenses almost went without notice that they were so common. bill bratton and jack maple, may he rest in peace, changed that for all of us, but there was so much more to be done with that model. it wasn't enough to just end the bad.

the good, towards our status as the safest big city of america, towards the goal of real harmony between police and community. again, we've come a long way with much more to be done. when you go back and think about the days in the early '90s when this man and his not partner in crime, jack maple, his partner in fighting crime jack maple believed something could happen. they had a vision that many doubted. that was big and different they believed. they had faith. they were willing to go where people hadn't gone before. you will see the same from jimmy o'neil. is he ready to take this department where it's gone before between police and community. it is an idea that's been talked about for decades. it's never been achieved on a sustained basis, but this is the man who will achieve it.

people of new york city. neighborhood policing continues to grow. we are rolling it out in the 51% of the precincts this fall and will continue from there. you'll see what it means in the lives of everyday new yorkers when they actually know the officer that patrols their part of the neighborhood, when they know the officer's name, when connection, mutual respect, shared mission. that's going to change this city for the better. jimmy is the real thing in every way. first of all, he comes from someplace i'd like to call the one true borough, brooklyn. born and bred flatbush brooklyn. that upbringing, he'll talk

learning about the people of the city from the beginning of his life. brought up in a wonderful family that instilled in him values of service, and then joining the nypd33 years ago as a transit officer. transit officers get to know new york city shoulder to shoulder with the people of new york city. every kind of new yorker up them a special perspective. jimmy kept the people of this city safe one tour at a time. then he started to rise. he was noticed early on by great leaders of the department like bill bratton. he rose through the ranks, worked narcotics, trained fight officers at the police academy. he did so many of the crucial roles of the department.

built tremendous relationships with leaders of the city. a great sense of mutual respect i hear it all of the time the appreciation for the way jimmy shares his thoughts and listens tony their concerns. list listens to their concerns. commissioner bratton understood what jimmy could bring to the equation as he built this extraordinary leadership team jimmy's been intimately involved in the further deepening of that extraordinary model. and as the architect of neighborhood policing, he's creating a model that i believe we're going to make work here. i believe it's going to change the city. i believe it's going to become a model that we're going to look at around the country because it really answers what people are aching for. everyone's aching for it. people in neighborhoods just want to be safe. they want to have a sense they are respected. they want to walk out the door

at night. our police officers want the exact same thing to say good- bye to their families in the morning, say good night at night. they want to contribute. neighborhood policing is the model that allows that to finally happen we remember the officer every parent, every child. we want to see today's version of that. that's what jimmy o'neil will create in the city. well, i know this is a job for a strong man. i know it is a job for real vision, reform, and progress. like i always said about bill bratton who never has ever

bone fit of all of us, jimmy ole neil burns with a passion to keep finding the next innovation. he will be an extraordinary leader of this department. i want to introduce to you the next police commissioner of the city of new york, jamie o'neil. [ applause ] >> it's not true. irish people do hug once in a while. [ laughter ] good afternoon, everyone. thanks for being here. thank you mayor de blasio. it's been an amazing 16 hours. never in my life coming on this job in 1983 did i think i'd be

police commissioner. thanks for allowing the men and women of the police department to do what they do best. that's be effective cops. thank you to all of the officers of the nypd. every rank from three star chief down to cop who allowed me and helped me get to where i am today. without them, i'd be nothing. thank you to all of the elected officials and clergy members and all who live and work in the two fife and four-four who have become true friends and guides of my career. privilege to work closely with the mayor and commissioner to help shift this, the nation's largest police department away from the style of policing the city that sometimes lost focus of the most important aspect of safeguarding the public. lowering crime but not at the extension of losing the vital support of the people we were sworn to protect and serve. i can tell you firsthand the mayor has given the nypd everything we have asked for

posture and get on the right course. whether it's vision zero, which has focused on awareness for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians alike. for the first time in a decade, thanks to the mater and city council, but purchasing necessary tools to make our officers' jobs safer and more effective. most importantly, steadfastly backing us in our efforts to improve this great city. many might think that being police commissioner would be the culmination of a career of an old transit cop like me. i can tell you that i see this as an invitation to continue a unique chance to advance and see to fruition all of the great work we put in the past for the last 21 months. commissioner bratton, thank you for that. those of you who know me know

to lead lives of significance. they wanted to make a difference in the world. they wanted to help make this an even better city and help all new yorkers achieve a quality of life we can all be proud of. when i was a rookie cop patrolling the subways this 1983, it was a different city in many ways but i think the people back then still had the same dreams that we have. they just want to live good lives, be productive and take care of their families. my mom helen, who's sitting in the front with my sister sheila, she might remember this. when i first came on the job, she had us work 8:00 at night until 8:00 in the morning. you learned quickly how to be a cop, how to navigate the maze of subway lines but most importantly how to talk to every type of person imaginable. i remember vividly the look of rae leaf on many people's -- relief on many people's faces when they'd see me. a cop with a little more hair

ride the subway between 8:00 at night and 4:00 in the morning but did so to provide to their families and improve their lots in life. they were happy do see a uniformed cop because they felt safer. it was inspiring for a young cop. now nearly 34 years later it is the same feeling today for the young men and women you see in uniform all around the five boroughs. we're here for you, the people of the city. later i a how valuable and fragile at times this relationship between law enforcement and the community actually is. let me tell owl this is truly a -- let me tell you this is truly a shared thing. this works only when we work together with the help of every new yorker, we will continue facilitating everything by law- abiding residents while we work to erase the pockets of violence as they emerge. know this. we're very much aware of the

the city as perpetrated by a relatively small percentage of the population. i've spoken to all of you about this before. this is something we concentrate on not every thursday morning but every day. we know who these people are and will continue to go after them as we've done in the last two and a half years. as with enforcement, we will continue relentless follow up and we'll do this while keeping the city safe from the ever changing you are aware of the critical response command. always at the ready. those officers are amongst the best trained in the nation including an active shooter situation. they work hand in hand every day with our counterterrorism intelligence bureaus which second to none. they ensure that people can safely demonstrate and nypd

else. it's what democracy in america are all about. it's our job to ensure that right. the protest in the fall of 2014 signaled the change was necessary. with the brutal assassination of rafael ramos it was clear the nypd had to evolve to meet the neds of every person. that's when the neighborhood- crime- fighting tool will be more than half of our mean city wide and 100% of our public housing commands. knowing who your police officers are, especially what their names are, if you are dealing with an nco, you have a phone number at your disposal. it's one way to strengthen the bond. i mentioned my mom earlier. it's hard to talk about you. [ laughter ]

one who taught me the ideals of what good cops should aspire to. because of her, i learned we can changed world into what we want it to be and that life is much, much more than just about oneself. it's about all of us. thank you, mom. >> amen. amen. [ applause ] >> i talk about you all of the time. i can forget about my older sister sheila. she's always pointing me in the right direction so thank you, sheila. it's about all of us. today, new york city we're at record lows in terms of homicides and shootings. by year's end, we have the fewest index crimes ever recorded in a single year. that's truly historic. that doesn't mean we stop. we never stop trying to drive down crime and quell disorder. we're going to do it in lock

dedicated to protect. it is after all what we do now. i want to thank the mayor and police commissioner again for having the trust and confidence in my to continue shepherding the extraordinary changes to help the nypd continue to evolve and must always evolve. we must continue to be in a place where we're all proud to live and work. thank you very much. [ applause ] so i've had all of 16 hours to think about the way forw couple of easy decisions for me. one of them was to ask my good friend, ben tucker, to stay on and help the city move forward. so ben, thank you for that. i'd ask you to come up. [ applause ] >> just a few words. first of all, jimmy, the first

i said i know it's you, your name is on the phone. [ laughter ] >> he says i just want to know, you are hanging around, right? i said absolutely i'm hanging around. i came here and i'm hanging around because jimmy and i sort of had this synergy from the time we connected when i came here back in march of 2014. and i got the call from commissioner bratton. by the way, thank you for that call because it changed my life. into policing after having been gone from the nypd for 24 years when i retired. so i came back as a deputy commissioner of training. we've done some extraordinary work as the mayor alluded to in a variety of ways. it's never abouten in my 46 years in the business this much activity in a police department, particularly the nypd moving in a direction that

the city, and it's been amazing. then subsequently, nine months later, ended up being appointed the first deputy commissioner. so for me, it's been an amazing ride. i love what i do, and when jimmy asked the question, i mean, the words came out right away, of course i'm hanging around. i wouldn't leave, although we've accomplished a great deal, we have a lot more work to do. our crime is down. the numbers are down. they look great, and we'll have a wonderful year. on the other hand, our relationship with the community is still challenged. we know it, but we recognize it, and everything that we've done in the past 33 months, 30- 30 months has been focused on how we improve and rebuild the trust so we continue on that path. the mission's not over, and so i am looking forward to serving with jimmy. when i came in, commissioner bratton, and i became the first

full partner in running this agency. jimmy shares that same perspective, and i'm looking forward to being a full partner with jimmy o'neil. i know we can do amazing things and do the work for the city that we know has to be done. jimmy, congratulations, my man. [ applause ] >> so if you are notice one thing about ben, i have to up game when it comes to suits, ben. [ laughter ] >> i'll take care of you. i know a guy. [ laughter ] >> i have a couple, but not as nice as that. [ laughter ] >> so with moving up to the position of police commissioner, that does create a bit of a vacancy. my old job as chief of department. it didn't take me long to fill that position.

know for 14 years. right from the get-go, i knew he was a man of integrity, hard work, and he shares the same vision that i do. carlos gomez is a man ripe for this job. he has the will to make the change. sometimes it's real difficult to change police departments. he has divisions to make the change. leader just like that to introduce the new chief of department. carlos? [ applause ] >> thank you. >> let me begin by thanking mayor de blasio, commissioner bratton for all that you've done for this city and police

months is truly, truly amazing. for future commissioner jim o'neil, this city is so lucky. someone who cares about the cops, cares about the community whose management style is one of teamwork. that is what we share. that is going to trickle down. it's going to trickle down from the stop from the police commissioner through me, through the bureau chiefs, it's going to trickle all the way down to the police officers, the newest police officers, the newest rookies. who benefits? the entire city. the community. the community will benefit from this. it's a great honor to oversee your uniformed members from the nation's finest police department. this city is truly blessed in

and best trained police officers patrolling the street. when i say police officer, i mean from the newest rookie in field training all the way up through experienced, talented bureau chiefs. we want our offices to work together with a team with the communities that we serve to protect from the threat of terrorism. also to continue to reduce crime, especially violent crime. as the community said, that is commuted by such a -- committed by such a small segment. we just focus on those spoiled, rotten apples. so much has been done and will continue to be done with that regard. chief o'neil and soon to be commissioner o'neil designed

which is in place in 32 commands in this city as we speak. and of course, i want to support our greatest asset. those are our offices. our officers of all ranks in this department. i want to make sure that they are safe and well i want to make sure i want to recognize them i want the community to know the good deeds that they do each and every day as police commissioner bratton alw says, i want to tell their story. tremendous transformation to belter combat terrorism. we're better, more precise in the way we fight crime focusing on those two individuals. technology is second to noon. so i have big shoes to fill.

>> well done. >> well, i just want to say in addition to my tremendous faith in chief o'neil, i've had just an extraordinary pleasure of working with first deputy commissioner ben tucker and chief carlos gomez. we've all been a team together. this is something i can't say enough about bill bratton's understanding of teamwork. so many days in this room, call them one-on-ones but they are actually more like 12 on 12s with everyone thinking together and collaborating together. so many times we've been out in the community in good times and bad collaborating, thinking, hundredling together. so this leadership group, we have all bonded very, very personally. there's such trust. i said at one point over the last day it's become like a great basketball team when they

the no-look pass. we know how each other thinks and know how to work together. i want to give ben tucker such tremendous credit for the extraordinary work that's happening in the training and retraining of our police force. it's one of the ex-factors. it's one of the will change our relationship with the community the most, and it's working. i want to give chief gomez credit for one of the people who is really with jimmy o'neil. he understands so intimately what it's going to take. so this is a team that is ready made to work together. what an extraordinary combination, proud son of flatbush and proud son of jackson heights together, all

learned from the prospective of the patrol officer but all of whom brought with them the family of the community and this is an incredible leadership for the future of the nypd. now i think this guy gets to talk, too. >> let me tell you again, i wish i had words. i wish i had words for what this man has achieved. years researching and analyzing , and you won't get it all. one thing that doesn't get talked about enough with bill bratton is his heart because he builds these extraordinary teams because people know. they see how much he believes, how much he cares. and he's taught me a lot. he has been an extraordinary partner. you know, it is a beautiful

make a place safer and better. then build a who can take that vision to the next level. we understand a person gets to make a choice to retire, but i wanted you to know be blessed to file you're presence here. we'll always be connected to you. now that you are going into the can buy me dinner once in a while. >> now i can afford to. >> -- now i can afford to. >> now you can afford to. >> ladies and gentlemen, commissioner bill bratton. >> there are many proud sons up here at this podium. four born and raised in new york. i'm a proud son who grew up in

bill and june bratton. i really wish that they could have been here to see this day as i continue my odyssey. they helped to shape it and frame it. like half of the population in new york city, there is a proud adopted son of this extraordinary and great city and one i have been pleased and privileged to have now on three different occasions have worked very hard to make a safer place for all of us or otherwise. before i begin my prepared remarks, i'd like to surely make a few thank yous at the appropriate time. first and foremost, my lovely wife who downben upset her life to allow me to pursue the passion of my leaf. that is policing. it's all that's good in america. so 31 months ago once again, she allowed me to respond to

by that great mayor. we'll continue to be one. there are many to thank in this room and certainly here at the podium you see four of those. you may have talked about it, and i thank him for moving as quickly as he did to recognize after 31 months of exposure that we are a team that effectively has the ability to grow, it is now time for me to move on. with this appointment on jimmy o'neil and the appointment of carlos and the continuation of the extraordinary ben tucker this city, this department will have a seamless transition. there's never been a time in mean policing history when that is more important than now. as we go forward and face the crisis of race in america, crime in america, fear of terrorism and in the midst of the turmoil of this presidential election, there is

that will be better prepared to face all that we were going to face in the future. again, before my prepared remarks, i'll continue with those thank yous. to this may, this extraordinary mayor that has been truly a partner, a friend, and a leader that we have bonded together. i have often said that we are seamless. we have a passion of what government can do, what i think collectively he and i made sharing the vision that he has and he's sharing the vision i have and surrounding ourselves with people who add to that vision. i think we have, in fact, over the 31 months done so much. i'll speak more in a few moments on that. mr. mayor, thank you for all of you do in the friendship. that friendship will continue. one of the great things about leaving this time was that 20

another mayor. another team at that time. the late great jack maple, the extraordinary jack maple. john chimney, who's now battling cancer, and aa few others. the mayor and i exchanged gifts, mayor giuliani at the time. he gave me a key to the city. he didn't tell me he had already changed the locks. so for the next 20 years, i was locked out of this city and this police de many respects. when i came back, the mayor gave me a new key and allowed me to come back into the city i love and have such a passion for. mr. mayor, thank you for that. there are several people in this room that i certainly have to acknowledge. there are so many. some are known to you, some are not. none only to some of you, walt wasserman who's hiding in the background, as he always does. 40 years ago, bob for the chief

young sergeant and aspiring young sergeant and began moving me up the rungs of the leadership of the american police and exposed me to so many outside ideas. the term neighborhood policing was created by him. the neighborhood policing model that we created together in boston which is now being modeled here in new york by jimmy and carlos, that bob in many respects is an unsung hero and has been with me every step of the way so bob, i cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me. john miller, what will continue as chief of counterintelligence, thank god. there's no person better prepared to protect this city and this country. jimmy has already had that conversation with john. john will basically also agree to stay on. so much of the team and there are many in the team here, and i cannot acknowledge all of

bond that we've hadton not a team of rivals. the team that share a vision. jimmy will strengthen what we already have. there are so many to thank that i cannot belabor this afternoon. i will do that this afternoon and individually with so many not. when i came back two and a half years ago, i had a mandate from this mayor. we had bonded during the many months of the election. we shared the vision of what the great american police department could do to face the issue of the day in this city. you all remember very well. the tension, controversy and indeed in america. we built upon a poundation that was a shared vision when i

chimney began to apply a new kind of science and rigger to policing. one that said cops count, police matter. i believe that deeply. never in the history of this city has that been more important than at this time, in the city and in this country. that we can be the change that's now a proven concept, policing. that mandate to keep crime low, historic lows and the ability to keep driving it even lower. by improving strategies constantly adapting them to historic lows. we've done that in this new team will continue to do that. have no fear. the second part of the mandate give ton me by the mayor was

and innovative and elite uniformed terror force. more than 500 cops ready to respond to any terrorist attack in a way that no other city can within five to seven minutes of an event. great thanks to john miller for all that he gave up to come back into public life once again and for all that he has contributed over the last now want to look back to the announcement of his appointment three years ago. a number of you in this room belittled his apartment, his experience, his expertise. i think john has proven you all wrong. he is one of the most respected people in the world today on that issue. you should feel yourself very lucky that you have them and

i look back on how many oaks in the equipment jeopardized my life. as wasserman began telling me about the need to train properly. we had our commit at any times to that opinion they are now better equipped and police officers are better protected whether it's a new police smartphones that allow them access to criminal records, wanted fliers or missing children or the new escape mask soon issued to all of them from chemical and biological attacks or the new heavy vests and ballistic doors and windows on our windows, we have made it clear that we will seek out the best that we can acquire and purchase to ensure the safety

ensure the safety of each and every one of you. the 8 and a half million that come here and the 60 million tourists who come here to experience the greatness of this american city. the mayor and i care first and foremost about the safety of those that we count on to keep us all safe. the fourth mandate has been the most challenging. it's about more than strategy and nothing like equipment let me speak briefly to that. for the first time in 12 years, this mayor, this city council increased that head count by 1300 but also by hiring 600 additional cadets and civilians that allow us to put many more police officers back into the field to staff the neighborhood policing that carlos and jimmy are so committed to.

his support and leadership and that. council supporting us. additionally, if you add up all that's been given over the last now two years, it comes to about $1.9 million. no police department in america any time in any of the history has ever been as well funded or supported as we have to buy all of that equipment, to provide all of that training, to ensure that our officers, that we keep safe as we can and you keep them as safe as you need to be. we have begun that job from top to bottom. our officers, that has involved new training about how to deescalate trainings. we have reduced stop and frisk by phenomenal amounts. we continue to reduce civilian complaints and the far reaching community policing programs

ever attempted. it will succeed this time. why? they're here. the chain that will lead it into the future. new innovation, neighborhood policing, something old, boston 1975 new again. new york city 2015 when we launched it. brain child of jimmy o'neil. one of jimmy's greatest trends is he loves this ci don't know all of the answers. we understand that other agencies as they struggle with the issues of the day that they have better ideas. so what we have here in new york now is an amalgamation of boston, of los angeles, of

others in the profession. the neighborhood coordination officers that he has implemented one-on-one with people, problem by problem with community groups issue by issue with entire neighborhoods. they are reachable by smartphone, e-mail, and telephone on those smartphones. they are available. they want to pep when the mayor asked me, i held up my book. i should have brought it. to protect and serve to make new york city safe for everyone everywhere. also when you see a policeman, and this is our goal. when you see a policeman, remember that he is your friend. that's the vision and the passion that i have had for 45

that is happening. it doesn't happen overnight. we've already seen the tide shift in that direction. it is a challenging time. we all indicate it's pointing in the right direction. those were the mandates that i was given. those were my goals. i always have one more goal in every organization i go to, and that is to build a team for success and a team of i go three or four commissioners to drive that bus. he surrounded himself with people who were smarter than he was as he knew it would make him and his government and nation better. i have throughout my career surrounding myself with the best and brightest to form a chain that can lead any organization that i've been

twice this magnificent organization. i cannot thank the mayor enough for his confidence in the team he has worked with over the past threw years to understand the importance of the seamless transition. mr. mayor, thank you. [ applause ] >> i don't think there are any questions. i think we've covered it all >> we let the mayor know and what changed between a couple of weeks ago when you said you'd like to say until the end of the term and now? why now? >> july 8th was the day the commissioner let me know, and we had a heart to heart, a very personal discussion about life and family. you know, i like him so much,

where you want to say, you know, what about the team? but he has served so much. you know this city, this nation. as you said it was a great phrase, what's that, the right time? >> there's never a good time, but there's a right time. for me, this was both a good time for all that we've accomplished and the right time. >> that's the decision we had. his friend first. i've had quite clearly that it was important for him to pursue other opportunities to be for his good future. we agree that we would work together to come up with the team for the future and do it quickly. here we are today. [inaudible question ] >> let me and then pass to

nothing to do with this. everyone has known because the commissioner's been very open about it that he had a vision for his time here at different points. it's had minor variations. give or take, it was the first term. the people have to make say decision obviously about whether we all get to continue this work. i think it's been clear from the beginning. i understand fully when an opportunity comes along and we're not going to go into detail about what that will come out soon. when an opportunity come as long, an opportunity come as long, you have to respect that about someone you care about and trust and respect. but it's something -- what i slurve what the commissioner said at his remarks because we've talked about this for 31

of a deep bench. the level of personal human security he has, we've talked openly about the talent and how it would progress over time many many times. it's not a conversation that started july 8th. that conversation started in 2014. so we knew the day would come where there would be a moment that was right for him, and there would be many, many good and talented people ready move up in this department. i've had the honor of serving shoulder to shoulder with these great and many other great people. on july 8, you may recall the six months summary of how the six six months have gone. i think finally some of you in the media have come to recognize just how much positive change had occurred,

he came into that office and informed them that i would be leaving and wiring in september to pursue other students. >> after i picked him up from the floor and talked about where he was going, why, talked about transition and the need to do exactly as we've done here to move it forward here quickly. he understd helped to build and allowed the freedom to bring in his talent. the issue about whether it's the ongoing corruption. it is being done in coordination with the attorney general's office and that's not a reason to leave that we have strong partners there. as you ask, i am sure he will tell you just that, the

the relationship as good. we had the ability to over time the come to common ground. the u.s. attorney is something we do regularly to assure we have seamless coordination with him. as i leave, i am very comfortable that part of the mandate i came in here to do was to improve the relationships with the agencies with, a new city council, a new mayor, and policing is always about the next crises. that's why i say there's never a good time to wait an extra day. he is the group that can handle that. there are more people in my department that have top secret clearances with all of the intelligence briefings.

on the intelligence briefings. similarly, the issue of race and community relations, we're on a journey. it's not a journey unique to new york city. the national election is evolving around it. i would argue we are farther places to mate it. the tools we get to work with and the commitment, the neighborhood policing plan that jimmy and carlos have been so intimate in designing. so there is no reason i'm leaving at this time. i'm leaving with reluctance. i wish i had more time chronologically to straighten out the issues that take that long to straighten out. indon't have that kind of time. i received an offer that for me and my wife is extraordinarily

can look . i also look forward to the fact that this time, i will have the city. i with ill have relationships with this mayor going forward with the many close friends that i can now openly meet with and interact with. i will be able to enjoy the fruits of our labors over this last 31 months. i'm leaving because it's the right time. >> one second. one second. no he can't is the answer. he will do that in due time. to acknowledge and thank for all of the support she's given us. i know her great friendship with jimmy o'neil, vanessa gibson. thank you so much for joining us. all right. additional questions? yes? >> commissioner bratton, were you actively looking for another job or did someone approach with you an officer you couldn't say no to?

opportunity to have offers over the years. when you are aware of that, you'll understand why i chose to accept this one at this particular time. >> will you stay in new york city? >> that was a primary condition to stay in our adopted home. it's where we love and where we [inaudible question ] >> thank you for the second part of your comment. it's not my achievement. it is the collective achievement of the department but mostly the men and women. the cops and civilians. the unfinished business here is exactly what jimmy is outlined.

that has now been resourced to take us forward to meet the issues that america is facing today, the mistrust of the criminal justice system particularly by minority communities that are so paramount at the moment, the anger directed at our muslim community. we, i believe, in new york any place else in america. we had so many experiences that i believe we have positioned quicker than anybody. the old adage if you can make it no n. new york, you can make it anywhere. in the '90s, when nobody thought anything could be done about crime, we've ahead it. and we've been making it for 25 years. i believe that this department, this mayor will lead america forward to deal with the crises that lie ahead. >> way back. >> i'm wondering how you helped

have it, soon be former police commissioner bill bratton announcing he will be stepping down effectively in september. of course, he talked about where we are going in the future taking on the role as the city's top cop will be chief james o'neil, the architect of the neighborhood policing strategy, trying to repair the frayed relationship between the police and the community. according to the mayor, he is going to be the commissioner the city has ever seen. >> as the mayor pointed out, homegrown talent. >> yeah. >> this afternoon, we've been listening to the news conference, but we know you want to know what's going on with the weather. >> it's pleasant out there right now. can't guarantee we'll be rain free the entire afternoon. might be a couple of spotty showers north of new york city. we head outside quickly and show you what's going on in central park. fair weather clouds for now. the humidity's come down to about 58%. the wind is calm.