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81st Precinct Commanding Officer Leaves Bed-Stuy for NYPD Training Bureau

 81st Precinct commanding officer, Inspector Juanita Holmes, will leave Bed-Stuy for 1 Police Plaza this month.
81st Precinct commanding officer, Inspector Juanita Holmes, will leave Bed-Stuy for 1 Police Plaza this month.
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DNAinfo/Paul DeBenedetto

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — The commanding officer of the 81st Precinct shocked Bed-Stuy residents at a precinct community council meeting Tuesday by announcing she was leaving to take a new high-level position.

Inspector Juanita Holmes, who joined the 81st Precinct in 2010, will become the executive officer in the NYPD's training bureau, according to police sources.

"We come and then, you know, at some point we have to leave," Holmes said.

"But I must say, it's been tremendous in this community. It's been a pleasure. It's been a pleasure working with everyone."

Holmes' replacement in the precinct was still under wraps Friday, but the inspector said she was leaving it in good hands.

"I'm not allowed to make mention of it, but I'm quite sure you'll embrace them just the same," Holmes said.

Holmes took over command of the 81st during a controversial time in the precint's history. A series of 2010 Village Voice articles detailed alleged corruption in the precinct, including arrest quotas and stat fixing, leading to the transfer of then-commanding officer Steven Mauriello.

After taking over amidst an increase in major felony offenses that lasted through 2012, major felonies eventually dropped to 1,495 in 2013 under Holmes' command, down from 1,571 the year before, according to NYPD statistics.

Holmes' departure is part of a massive department overhaul under Commissioner Bill Bratton that includes the transfers of as many as 100 commanders, NYPD sources said.

The departing inspector told the audience at Tuesday's meeting that she was sad to go, but appreciated the support of the communtiy over the last four years.

"Thank you for working with the police," Holmes said.

"Sometimes that's the toughest battle, having a relationship with the community."