New NYPD chief was PM’s choice for Met

Bill Bratton, the former New York police commissioner credited with overseeing a sharp drop in crime in the mid-90s, has been named as the city’s next police chief by incoming Mayor Bill de Blasio, replacing Ray Kelley, who was criticised for the department’s stop-and-frisk policies

“Bill Bratton is a proven crime-fighter,” said Mr de Blasio, who will replace Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “Together, we are going to deepen the historic gains we’ve made in public safety... And we will do it by rejecting the false choice between keeping New Yorkers safe and protecting their civil rights.”

Mr Bratton’s first stint as NY police chief came under Mayor Rudy Guliani, when the murder rate fell sharply.

In 2011, Mr Bratton was reported to be David Cameron’s preferred candidate for the job of Metropolitan Police Commissioner in London, but officials ruled the Commissioner had to be British.