Philosopher captain takes helm at 50th

Capt. Brandon del Pozo. Photo by Karsten Moran

By Kevin Deutsch

He investigated terror attacks in India and Turkey, gathered intelligence in the Middle East, and commanded an NYPD unit that sniffs out police corruption.

But as the new commanding officer of the 50th Precinct, Capt. Brandon del Pozo’s concerns have changed — from suicide bombings and dirty cops to auto crime and noise complaints.

Not that he minds the change in pace.

“I think the residents in the 50th Precinct feel that it’s a very safe place, and we want to keep it that way,” said Capt. del Pozo, 35, who replaced D.I. John D’Adamo as the Five-O’s head honcho Oct. 28. “This is the best job in the NYPD.”

The precinct commander spent last week settling into his new job, touring the precinct with veteran officers, meeting community leaders and learning the issues effecting Riverdale and Kingsbridge residents.

He said he detected “a sense of deep anger” about the auto crime that’s plagued the area for years.

“These crimes affect everyone in the community, rich or poor, at all levels,” Capt. del Pozo said. “We understand how it impacts people, and we’re going to do the job.”

He said he also understood the anxiety many residents felt in the wake of the thwarted plot to bomb Riverdale Temple and Riverdale Jewish Center in May.

“It showed us that terrorism is a problem that can strike anywhere,” Capt. del Pozo said. “I want to make sure people feel comfortable living here.”

One of his favorite things about the community so far is its diversity — and its tasty food.

“There’s a larger Cuban population here than I expected, which means good Cuban food can’t be far behind,” said the captain, whose father was Cuban and whose mother “was just a nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn.”

The captain, born and raised in Bensonhurst, hopes his Jewish- Cuban background helps him fit in among Riverdale’s varied ethnic groups.

“This is one of the most interesting and diverse precincts in the city,” said Capt. del Pozo, who lives in Cold Spring, N.Y., with wife Sarah and their son, Zane. “On one end, you have million dollar houses and the other you have public housing. It’s a great place to get your feet wet in the Bronx.”

A former army officer and 12-year-veteran cop most recently assigned to NYPD’s Intelligence Division and Internal Affairs Bureau, Capt. del Pozo worked the beat in some of Brooklyn’s tougher neighborhoods, including Flatbush, Crown Heights and Brownsville. He also worked in the NYPD Intelligence Division, serving two years as an intelligence liaison to the Middle East. Most recently, he led an NYPD Internal Affairs unit.

A 1992 graduate of Stuyvesant High School, Capt. del Pozo earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Dartmouth College and master’s degrees from Harvard University and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He’s also working toward a doctorate in philosophy at CUNY.

Though he’s new to the Bronx, the new boss thinks he’s got the chops to be successful here.

“I may be a newcomer, but I’m going to work hard and bring my experience to bear on the problems we face here.”

This is part of the November 5, 2009 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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