NYPD Commanding Officer Quits Over Police Reform

By David Greene

Former Commanding Officer of the 46th Precinct, Richard Brea, waves goodbye to fellow cops after he quits the job in protest over recent police reforms.
Photo by David Greene

NYPD police officers filled Ryer Avenue as Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Richard Brea walked out of the 46th precinct for the last time on Friday, June 26. Brea resigned from the NYPD after 28 years in protest over recent police reforms, including the disbanding of the anti-crime unit.

In his farewell speech, Brea chastised elected officials for some of the reforms and for not backing cops during the ongoing protests against the NYPD.

Fellow cops applaud 46th Precinct Commanding Officer Richard Brea as he gives a farewell speech after quitting the department after 27 years, on June 26, 2020.
Photo by David Greene

He also said that top brass at 1 Police Plaza were unprepared for the night of looting in the Bronx on the night of June 1, and that he had been given little guidance on how to get illegal guns and fireworks off the streets without the anti-crime unit.

NYPD police officers fill Ryer Avenue and East 181st Street as Commanding Officer Richard Brea walks out of the 46th precinct after quitting the department on June 26, 2020.
Photo by David Greene

The NYPD has been criticized by many New Yorkers over their handling of the Black Lives Matter protests, as well as for years of mistreatment of African Americans while in police custody, some resulting in death, while others say their job has become more and more dangerous in the face of rising crime, that they have not been provided with the support they need, have been overrun and ill-equipped to handle certain responsibilities meant for other City departments such as dealing with mental health problems and street vending licensing issues, and are being unfairly vilified by the media.

Deputy Inspector Joseph Seminara has been named the 46th Precinct’s new Commanding Officer.

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