Four NYPD Chiefs Plus Civilian Deputy Commissioner to Retire

By Hamodia Staff

Chief of Internal Affairs David Barrere. (nyc.gov)

NEW YORK – By the end of the month of December, four NYPD police chiefs and one civilian deputy commissioner will be retired.

Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell extended her gratitude to Chief of Internal Affairs David Barrere, Chief of Transit Jason K. Wilcox, Chief of Housing Kathleen M. O’Reilly, Chief of Special Operations Harry Wedin, as well as Deputy Commissioner of Support Services Robert S. Martinez as their retirements will be completed in the near future.

Chief Barrere joined the NYPD in April 1990 and began his career on patrol in the 63 Precinct. In his thirty-two-year career, he also served in six other precincts, as well as many other senior positions in the NYPD. He had filed for retirement on November 1, and it took effect at the end of the month of November.

“I thank Chief Barrere and his family for his years of dedicated public service,” said Police Commissioner Sewell. “Throughout his exemplary career, he epitomized the professionalism, dedication, and commitment to public service that are the hallmarks of a New York City Police Department officer.”

“It has been an absolute privilege to work among the very finest police officers anywhere,” said Chief David Barrere. “Every day of my nearly 33 years in the NYPD brought something new – but one thing I could always count on was the unwavering devotion of the men and women of this police department to the people and the city they served. Thank you as well to all the communities I had the honor to serve over the years, and I look forward to spending retirement with my family and friends.”

Chief Wilcox joined the NYPD in April 1987 in the 44 Precinct in the Bronx, where he later rose to become the borough’s detective commander – its chief investigator. He also served as Commanding Officer of the Detective Bureau Central Robbery Division, the 33 Precinct, and Transit Borough Manhattan.

Chief Wilcox said he would look back on his career with pride. “From my earlier years working in the NYPD’s Transit Bureau, I always dreamed of one day running it,” said Chief Wilcox. “The opportunity to now retire from this great police department, as its Chief of Transit, is an honor I will cherish in all the days ahead.”

Chief O’Reilly began her policing career in 1991, when she became an officer in the former New York City Housing Police Department. She rose through the ranks and served in several important leadership positions in the NYPD, including as Chief of Transit and Chief of Patrol.

“It has been an honor to be a New York City Police officer,” said Chief O’Reilly. “Now, as I leave the department, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every member of the NYPD for their tireless work and professionalism every day and night.”

Chief Wedin has served nearly 42 years in the NYPD – joining the department in January 1981 and starting his career on patrol in the 67 Precinct in Brooklyn. He served the NYPD in various capacities, and eventually ascended to Chief of Special Operations, an integral assignment leading the elite units of the Aviation, Mounted, and Emergency Service units.

“When I think back on the arc of my career, I think of the people we helped, the New Yorkers we were so privileged to serve,” said Chief Wedin. “I take pride in having worked alongside a group of people…who so bravely and selflessly devote their lives to their fellow human beings.”

Deputy Commissioner Martinez joined the NYPD in June 1986, as an auto service worker in the Fleet Services Division, and rose to the highest level of that integral bureau. He implemented the use of hybrid vehicles and the reduction of fuel consumption of the department, as well as introducing other technological improvements in the NYPD fleet.

“I rose through the ranks with a clear-eyed vision for making our fleet safer – for our cops and for the communities they serve,” said Commissioner Martinez.

With the retirements of the four dedicated public servants due to take effect on December 30, Commissioner Sewell commended them for their service.

“Kathy O’Reilly, Harry Wedin, Jason Wilcox, and Bob Martinez are dedicated public servants. Collectively, these executives devoted nearly a century-and-a-half of service to the NYPD and the people of New York City and we owe them a debt gratitude for their tireless contributions. It was a privilege to serve alongside each of them, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”

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