ONE POLICE PLAZA — Police Commissioner Ray Kelly introduced 31-year NYPD-veteran Thomas M. Chan on Friday as the new chief of the Community Affairs Bureau.
Chan, who takes over from current Chief of Department Philip Banks III, has served in the 5th, 7th and 26th precincts, as well as with highway units, the School Safety Division and Detective Operations. He is the highest-ranking Asian in the department’s history.
“My role in the police department will be to develop and foster the partnership between us and our communities and the public,” Chan, 55, said. “We have an opportunity in Community Affairs to educate, to [do] outreach and also have programs to develop with the community.”
Kelly said Chan’s work as commanding officer of Brooklyn South last year was instrumental in reducing violent crime. The commish also praised Chan’s efforts as head of the School Safety Division.
“Over the course of his 31 years in the police department, Chief Chan has proven his ability to forge effective partnerships with the diverse communities of New York,” Kelly said.
Chan, a Lower East Side native who attended Stuyvesant High School and has a degree from St. John’s, said the strength of the city is determined by the partnership between cops and the community.
“As our community works with the police officers,” he said, “we can hopefully prevent instances like Boston when officers and the public talk to us and we share information.”
