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88th Precinct Welcomes Capt. John Buttacavoli as Commanding Officer

 Captain Peter Fiorillo was promoted to Deputy Inspector by Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, and will now be serving in the 52nd precinct.
Captain Peter Fiorillo was promoted to Deputy Inspector by Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, and will now be serving in the 52nd precinct.
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NYPD

FORT GREENE — The 88th Precinct welcomed a new commanding officer Tuesday — Capt. John Buttacavoli, a 19-year NYPD veteran.

Buttacavoli, 41, replaces Deputy Inspector Peter Fiorillo, who is moving to the 52nd Precinct in The Bronx.

“You’re getting a very good commanding officer as my replacement,” Fiorillo said at a Tuesday night community council meeting. 

“He’s coming here very experienced. He’s a hard worker, he’s dedicated, he puts in a lot of hours. He has a running knowledge of the community and this council. I couldn’t have asked for a better replacement.”

Buttacavoli, born in Canarsie, was appointed to the NYPD in February of 1997 as a Brooklyn transit officer. 

Over the last 19 years, he has served in Public Service Area 4 in Manhattan, and the 84th, 88th and 75th precincts in Brooklyn. 

Most recently, Buttacavoli served as executive officer at the 75th Precinct in East New York.

Buttacavoli, who served in the 88th Precinct for five years and is currently getting his masters in Human Services Leadership at St. Joseph’s College in Clinton Hill, said he feels like a part of the community already.

“I consider myself a part of this community,” Buttacavoli said Tuesday. “I can’t say enough how happy I am and how humbled and honored I am to be standing before you as you commanding officer.”

He promised residents he would always “keep it real.”

“If you ask a question, I’ll give you a straightforward answer,” he said.

Buttacavoli said the 88th Precinct could also be seeing new Neighborhood Coordination Officers by the end of the year as part of the NYPD's new community policing program to develop stronger neighborhood ties.

"I've seen [the program] in action and can't wait," Buttacavoli said.

Fiorillo, who has led the 88th Precinct since March 2014, served his first day at the 52nd on Monday.

“I had a great experience, I hope I have the same experience at the 52nd Precinct,” Fiorillo said. “I have nothing but good things to say about everyone.”

In his last year as commanding officer, the number of violent crimes in the 88th Precinct has gone down by 10.8 percent, according to NYPD statistics.

The 88th Precinct is also saying goodbye to community affairs Officer Varlos Brathwaite, who will retire in July.

Officer Christopher Kinney, who has been with the 88th Precinct for eight years, will join Officer Andrene Sargeant on the community affairs team.