AST August 2019 Magazine AST August 2019 Magazine | Page 7

Additionally,
the ever-changing threat
www.AmericanSecurityToday.com
picture in the world’s number one
target for terrorism mandated major
reforms to the NYPD’s already robust
counterterrorism capabilities.
In response, Commissioner Bratton
developed two new units—the Critical
Response Command (CRC) and the
Strategic Response Group (SRG)—
which now provide the city with more
than 1,000 highly trained and prop-
erly equipped officers who are ded-
icated to counterterrorism, large-
scale mobilizations, site security,
and rapid deployment
citywide.
August 2019
- Edition 36
A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam
War, Commissioner Bratton began his
career in 1970 as a beat cop in the Bos-
ton Police Department.
In 1976 he was awarded the depart-
ment’s highest citation for valor— The
Schroeder Brothers Memorial Med-
al—for facing down a bank robber and
rescuing a hostage.
By 1980 he had risen to Superinten-
dent of Police, the BPD’s highest
sworn position.
(Commissioner Bill Bratton showed off the departments new Strategic Response Group which is
designed to help during emergencies such as active shooter situations and terrorist acts. Courtesy
of the New York Post and YouTube. Posted on Dec 16, 2015.)
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