So what will the NYPD look like under James O'Neill? The incoming commissioner tipped his hand at a National Night Out Event in Astoria. NY1's Lori Chung has details.
In one of their first official acts as outgoing and incoming police commissioners respectively, both Bill Bratton and James O'Neill joined Mayor Bill de Blasio to announce the expansion of program that will make officers a bigger part of the communities they serve.
"The essence of it is we're going to have the same cops in the same sectors every day and it's an important thing for the cops to do," O'Neill said.
"When people know the name of their officer they feel that their immediate neighborhood," the mayor said.
Those are features of the Neighborhood Coordination Officers program, which puts cops in specific communities to identify and respond to problems.
Community policing was praised at the national night out event in Astoria Park, and officials say O'Neill will take farther when he takes over as top cop.
"He and soon to be Chief of Department Gomez will ensure a seamless continuation of what we've been engaged in these last several years," said outgoing NYPD Commissioner Bratton.
The idea resonated at this annual event designed to bring police and communities together where families got face-time with officers from the 114th precinct. Events were held in all five boroughs.
"I think it's also going to lower the racial profiling because they will get to know us as well," said one Astoria resident.
"We need the community to receive the police and police need to see that everyone's not a criminal also," said another.
As the police work to forge bonds here with residents big and small, there's hope that this new era of leadership at the NYPD will lead to more trust and respect for and from police.
"The overall majority of these officers are here to help us and that's what I think and that's why I think it's a very good thing what they're doing today," said one Astoria resident.
The Neighborhood Coordination Officers program will be in 51 percent of commands in October — just a few weeks after O'Neill steps into his new position.