Update: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has thanked Bratton for his service and announced his successor.
This September, @NYPDChiefofDept Jimmy O’Neill will become the next NYPD Commissioner, succeeding @CommissBratton. 1/9
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) August 2, 2016
New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton has announced his resignation on Tuesday, ABC News is reporting.
NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton to resign today, @ABC News confirms. https://t.co/DXueAB9vZR pic.twitter.com/clKSpQhY79
— ABC News (@ABC) August 2, 2016
Ahead of the announcement, Bratton, who had served twice as NYPC commissioner, had been pressured by groups associated with Black Lives Matter to step down. They organized protests in Manhattan on Monday, demanding accountability against what they view as police brutality against minority communities. Some even called the NYPD “terrorists.”
The protesters insisted they wouldn’t go home until Bratton resigned.
Despite these demands, Bratton's decision still comes as a surprise. He will officially resign next month to work in the private sector.
As The New York Times is noting, Bratton is "the most widely recognized face in policing."
