Along with his two stints as NYC commissioner, Bratton has also served in that role in Boston and Los Angeles. His most recent term at the NYPD was in 2014 when he replaced Ray Kelly. He was originally slated to stay until New York’s next mayoral election, but he notified Mayor DeBlasio of his decision on July 8.
Bratton vacating his position comes at a time when New York’s police are caught up in a veritable whirlwind of controversy and scandal. Several months ago an NYPD sergeant, deputy inspector and deputy chief were arrested in connection with illegal campaign fundraising for DeBlasio. It was reportedly revealed through court documents that officers received expensive gifts including free international trips, expensive meals and a jaunt to Las Vegas on a private jet with a complimentary sex worker in exchange for shutting down streets for private parties and providing personal security for DeBlasio supporters.
There is also a $200 million lawsuit against the city of New York leveled by Tabatha Foster, who claims she had an affair with married NYPD chief Jeffrey Maddrey who physically abused her and had sex with her in his squad car at the precinct. She recounted one incident where Maddrey brutalized her until she pulled a gun. "I felt safe until he started hitting me…I put the gun down and my a** got beat for real. He choked me up. He threw me from side to side like I was a rag doll," she recalled.
The last high-profile resignation was in 2014 when then-department chief Philip Banks stepped down after admitting he was the target of a federal corruption investigation. Hundreds of thousands of unaccounted-for dollars appeared in Banks’ accounts. An unnamed source said at the time, "Banks had collected an inordinate amount of cash, which begged the question, where is he getting this money? How is he getting it?"
Bratton has said he will "pursue other opportunities" after leaving the force, and Teneo, a global firm that advises CEOs, said that come September Bratton will become executive chairman and managing director of their new risk response and prevention division, Teneo Risk.
"In a world of increasing uncertainty and instability, CEOs and business leaders are now, more than ever, looking for advice on critical risk and security issues from trusted, proven experts. Commissioner Bratton brings unparalleled expertise that will benefit our clients around the globe," said Teneo CEO and Chairman Declan Kelly.