Deputy Inspector O'Neill: Community and police working together helps all

By Denáe Brewer
Editor-in-chief

“My main focus is to reduce violence,” James O’Neill declared. “I want to make sure people in this community are safe.”

Deputy Inspector James Patrick O’Neill, a 19-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, assumed command of the 44th precinct last July. “I took over the reigns from an outstanding commander [Inspector Kevin Clark]. This precinct is one of the tops in the city. I am honored to be here,” O’Neill said.

Contrary to popular belief, crime in the 44th precinct is below the city’s average. In crime statistics kept by the department that focus on seven key areas — rape, murder, felony assault, grand larceny, robbery, burglary, and grand larceny auto — crime has decreased 66 percent in the precinct over the past nine years, while the average decrease in the city was 64.6 percent. In comparison to last year, crime in the precinct is down 7 percent this year, and in the city crime is down 5.3 percent.

O’Neill intends to maintain that downward trend through stricter enforcement of quality-of-life codes coupled with greater police presence on foot patrols. “It’s important that the police are out there establishing a relationship with the community. At times they are our eyes and ears.”

Even though he’s fairly new at the precinct, the deputy inspector already has the respect and trust of those he commands. “He’s good at getting the best out of people who work for him,” commented Andre Williams, Community Affairs officer at the 44th precinct. “It’s not done with a sword but with mutual respect.”

Deputy Inspector O’Neill always knew he would be a cop. “I just didn’t know in what capacity,” he said. He graduated with a master’s degree in public administration from John Jay College and worked for an insurance company. In 1981, he took and passed the police entrance exam and in 1983, he was stationed in the 11th District transit station at 161st Street.

No stranger to the community, O’Neill is glad to be back. “I spent a great deal of my career here,” he said. From ‘83 to ‘86 he was a police officer at the transit station. Then, from ‘92 to ‘94, he was a lieutenant there. Now he is commanding officer of the 44th precinct. “It is an amazing feeling,” O’Neill said. “By some strange twist of fate I am drawn back here.”

Once Commanding Officer of the Central Park Precinct, then the 25th precinct in Harlem, the 44th is O’Neill’s third command. “The cops here all give 110 percent,” he praised. “They are all committed to this community and so am I.”

Over the past two years, the 44th has seen three commanding officers. When pressed on the apparent revolving door of command, Deputy Inspector O’Neill explained that it is department policy to rotate command. Partially designed to prevent stagnation, most commanding officers serve one to three years in one precinct, according to O’Neill. The other reason: to reward outstanding service.

“As with any job, you are expected to do well.” O’Neill explained. “If you do, you’re given more responsibility.” This is the Deputy Inspector’s biggest command — 275 officers and 140,000 residents over two square miles.