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Patrol

Chief of Patrol John M. Chell

Chief of Patrol: John M. Chell

The Patrol Services Bureau is the largest and most visible bureau in the NYPD, overseeing the majority of the department's uniformed officers on patrol. The bureau, commanded by the Chief of Patrol, is divided into eight borough commands, which are further divided into 77 police precincts.

Each police precinct is responsible for the safety of its residents, workers, and visitors—enforcing the law, preserving peace, and reducing fear—and working in partnership with the communities they serve. Precincts comprise diverse populations and encompass geographic areas that range in size based on location and density of population. The typical NYPD precinct is the size of a midsize American city, ranging from 70,000 to 150,000 residents.

The department's commitment to effective policing is strongly rooted in local communities and tied to local concerns. Through neighborhood policing, officers perform their law enforcement duties while also embedding themselves into their communities as part of a team that works together to improve the safety and quality of life for everyone.

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