There’s a new face at the 102nd Precinct, and in less than one week, he’s already becoming well known in the community.
Wednesday, September 30 was the first day on the job for Captain Armando DeLeon, new Commanding Officer, and he has already visited the Richmond Hill Block Association, as well as other community groups.
“I think he is excellent,” said Maria Thomson, President of the 102nd Precinct Community Council. “He has reached out already to the community and is well aware of our concerns.”
DeLeon, 38, grew up in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn and entered the Police Academy in 1993. His first assignment was the Housing Bureau, where he was a foot cop in the Fort Greene Houses in Brooklyn.
“I had friends who were police officers,” he told The Courier. “I saw how they enjoyed their job and how they talked about it.”
After a few years he went undercover with the Narcotics Division, before being promoted to Sergeant in 2001.
Thereafter, DeLeon, who married his high school sweetheart, was assigned to the Police Service Area 2 and later, as an Anti-Crime Sergeant for three years.
In 2004, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant and joined the 67th Precinct in East Flatbush, where he headed the Street Narcotics Enforcement Unit.
By 2007, DeLeon had made Captain, and he came to Queens – Patrol Borough Queens South – as Executive Officer (XO) of the 100th Precinct in Rockaway.
He was named Commanding Officer of the area’s Juvenile Robbery Intervention Program and then joined the 103rd Precinct as XO before being named Commanding Officer of the Impact Response Team (IRT), a post he held until he joined the 102.
“There are great men and women in the 102, great support,” he said. “I’ve inherited a great command [from predecessors] Inspector Blake, Piekarski and McEvoy.”
DeLeon told The Courier that his primary mission is to reduce crime – and give residents within the confines of the precinct peace of mind.
“I look to reduce crime statistically and give the perception in the community that crime is down.”
With an emphasis on community policing, the father of one said, “I want the community to be able to reach me. I’ll do my best to address concerns.”
And although burglaries have spiked within the command, DeLeon is sure that the committed men and women of the command are doing a good job in getting the word out and keeping residents safe.
“Moving forward, I think people will not leave a window of opportunity for criminals,” he said.
“I think he’ll be great,” said Thomson. “I think we’ve lucked out again.”
