New York, NY, October 11, 2010 … In recognition of his exceptional leadership in law enforcement and combating terrorism, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) honored former Boston, New York, and Los Angeles Police Commissioner William J. Bratton.
At ADL's Annual Meeting in Boston, Commissioner Bratton received the League's William and Naomi Gorowitz Institute Service Award, which salutes outstanding achievements in combating terrorism, extremism and injustice.
"From Boston to the Big Apple to Los Angeles, Bill knows the streets, knows the people and knows the problems," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "He made a dramatic difference making those places safer and more secure for all, and his crime-fighting initiatives have been hailed and emulated by police departments throughout the world. We are proud to have partnered with Bill on many vital issues, and salute his leadership and dedication to policing and public service."
Bill Bratton's relationship with ADL began in Boston. He worked closely with Leonard P. Zakim, the League's late New England Director, utilizing ADL's expertise on hate crimes, anti-Semitism, racism, and anti-bias training.
Originally from Boston, Bratton gained an international reputation for re-engineering police departments and fighting crime in the 1990s. One of America's premier police chiefs, he is the only person ever to serve as chief executive of the LAPD and the NYPD.
"No organization stands so tall continuously in fighting against the forces of evil as ADL," said Bratton in accepting the award. "The historic mission of this great organization is the mission of all of us. There is no greater mission."
As Chief of the New York City Transit Police, Boston Police Commissioner, then New York City Police Commissioner, he revitalized morale and cut crime in all three posts, achieving the largest crime declines in New York City's history. He currently serves as Chairman of Kroll, a company of Altegrity, the global security solutions and risk consultancy.
The ADL William and Naomi Gorowitz Institute on Terrorism and Extremism works to combat the threat of terrorism through educational, political and legal means. It is dedicated to providing timely information and educational opportunities to the law enforcement community. The Institute assists the law enforcement community providing resources for tracking extremists and terrorists across the United States.
Past recipients of the Gorowitz award include: former U.S. Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff; former CIA Director George Tenet, former FBI Director Louis Freeh, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, and New York Senator Charles Schumer.