Podcast: Out of Commission(er)
With most of the speculation about why William J. Bratton resigned as Police Commissioner last week still part of the political bochinche, Slant invited Dean Meminger and Jumaane Williams, two well-informed New York City insiders on police matters, to join myself and City & State Editorial Director Michael Johnson for this week’s podcast.
Our first guest was Dean Meminger, NY1’s Criminal Justice Reporter. He gives our listeners a few nuggets he had not previously reported and tops it off with inside knowledge about how NY1 got the scoop about Bratton's resignation and why they didn't go with the exclusive. Meminger takes us inside what's happening right now at One Police Plaza, including who’s currently in charge during this transition period before James O’Neill officially takes the helm.
The seasoned and highly respected reporter also chimes in with insight on the differences and similarities between Bratton and O'Neill, including why O'Neill's appointment has been a hit with the NYPD rank and file. Meminger also talks about the challenges O'Neill will face in dealing with the Right to Know Act, a big political part of the commissioner’s job, and weighs in about Bratton's major and lasting accomplishments as commish – from his empowering of his deputies to the crime statistics that continue to drop.
Our second guest is New York City Council member Jumaane D. Williams. He is co-chairman of the Council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Violence. Williams is also a co-founding member of the Progressive Caucus and a member of the Black, Latino & Asian Caucus.
The eloquent politico talks about the advances he anticipates will take place under O'Neill’s leadership and his reflections on how Bratton sometimes went overboard with the use of his words. Williams lays out where his differences with the NYPD remain and how he believes they can improve community relations. The Brooklyn Democrat seems confident that O'Neill can move the conversation along and talks about why he and the Council like O'Neill's style over ex-Commissioner Ray Kelly’s.
Our two guests offer Slant listeners unique insights that go well beyond tabloid headlines and what's been reported so far. Both make it clear that there's a long way to go in improving the NYPD’s relationship with communities.
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