NYPD to Overhaul Operation Impact Program

NYPD Commissioner William Bratton is overhauling Operation Impact — a program which involves placing rookies fresh out of the academy in traditionally high-crime neighborhoods — by partnering up the newer officers with veterans of the force and community leaders.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the change-up is being conducted on a trial basis at Brooklyn’s 79th Precinct, which includes most of Bedford-Stuyvesant, as well as nine other zones.

“The interesting part of this is that the community is…going to be a big part of this new program,” said Deputy Inspector Michael LiPetri of the 79th Precinct.

Community leaders such as block association presidents and clergy will introduce officers to local residents who will help them learn the ins and outs of the neighborhood, the WSJ quoted Deputy Commissioner for Training Benjamin Tucker as saying.

In the 79th precinct, community leaders will be asked to work with incoming officers for six months. They will “will meet these officers, they will engage with them, they will walk their posts with them,” Tucker added.

As the WSJ reports, rookies will be paired while on patrol and they’ll work the same corners. Eight officers will be assigned to one sergeant. Out of those eight, two will be veterans who will mentor the others.

450 of the roughly 630 new officers graduating on June 30 will participate in the program, WSJ said.