New Commanding Officer Gets Special Birthday Gifts At Community Council Meeting
A Stevie Wonder-style serenade, a ceremonial passing of the torch, and a first-time proclamation. The 61st Precinct’s new Commanding Officer received some special gifts on his birthday Wednesday night when the precinct’s community council held its first meeting since breaking for the summer.
Captain Winston Faison took command in July after Deputy Inspector Carlos Valdez, who has since been promoted to Inspector, was transferred to a Bronx station house. During the meeting, Valdez handed over a pin, worn by himself and previous precinct commanders, to Faison.
“Captain Faison is a young, energetic officer who is very community oriented,” said Valdez. “I wore this pin until July 22, as did my predecessors before me. I pass it on to Faison and wish him the best of luck.”
Faison said it would be hard to “fill [Inspector Valdez’s] shoes,” but pledged to continue engaging the community.
“I tell my officers to treat the community as if you live in the community,” he said. “If we work that way, we will be successful.”
City Councilman Jumaane Williams, who’s district has a few blocks covered by the 61st Precinct, led the room in a “Stevie Wonder-style” birthday song for Faison. Williams was at the meeting to pick up an citation from the community council for his support of police officers.
“I don’t get many awards from law enforcement agencies,” joked Williams, who has supported efforts to address police brutality. However, he said he has great respect for the work of police officers. “Our police officers are running into danger and that’s a big responsibility that I take very seriously. Hopefully we have more dialogue so that the perception of what’s being said reflects the reality of what’s going on.”
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch presented Faison with a proclamation to honor the captain’s rapid response to complaints of drug abuse and homelessness in the community. The proclamation was the first Deutsch had ever awarded during his two years as a city councilman. It was also the first proclamation that Faison has received.
“This award is to express gratitude from the people who live in my district for Captain Faison’s leadership,” Deutsch said.
Another award, a commendation from Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office, was given to Officer Qiang Shi, who saved the life of a teenager who collapsed from a heart attack last month at the Sheepshead Bay subway station.
“Officer Shi jumped into action without waiting for medics and saved the young man’s life,” said Ari Kagan, the comptroller’s community liaison, when presenting the award.
Shi later said he was honored by the award but is most grateful for the thanks he has received from the community.
“Getting appreciation from the public is the best,” he said. “Especially because of the climate around police going on right now in whole country.”
Several other officers also received “Cop of the Month” citations for their exemplary arrests. The awards came from Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Senator Martin Golden, and Councilmen Alan Maisel and Chaim Deutsch.
“We can only pick one person for a Cop of the Month award,” said Faison after handing out the citations. “But there’s really 30 officers who could be here. This is just a small part of what they do.”