Who is NYPD's James O'Neill, New York City's new police commissioner?

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Who is James O'Neill, NYPD's new Police Commissioner?
Tim Fleischer has the details from Lower Manhattan.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Following the news of NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton's resignation Tuesday, it was quickly announced that James O'Neill will succeed Bratton as the city's top cop. So who is O'Neill?

As Chief of Department, O'Neill was NYPD's top uniformed officer.

Here's a timeline of his career as a police officer:

* 1983 -- Appointed to the New York City Transit Police Department, working patrol in Transit District 1

* 1987 -- Promoted to sergeant

* 1991 -- Promoted to sergeant special assignment

* 1992 -- Promoted to lieutenant

* 1997 -- Promoted to captain

* 2001 -- Promoted to deputy inspector

* 2003 -- Promoted to inspector

* 2005 -- Promoted to deputy chief

* 2014 -- Promoted to chief of patrol

WHERE IN THE CITY HE'S SERVED

O'Neill has served in transit districts 1, 3 and 11; the 25, 44, 52 and Central Park precincts, the firearms training section, the police academy, warrant section, SATCOM detective-narcotics operations, the vice enforcement division, the narcotics division, the fugitive enforcement division, and the office of the police commissioner.

PERSONAL LIFE

O'Neill was born and raised in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. His mom was at city hall for the announcement of his promotion to chief, and he mentioned her during his time at the podium.

"She taught me the ideals of what good cops should aspire to," O'Neill said.

EDUCATION

O'Neill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and a Master of Public Administration degree from John Jay College.

NICKNAMES

During the news conference Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio called James O'Neil by multiple names -- James, Jim and Jimmy. The most-used first name during the announcement was "Jimmy."