New top cop at Sunset Park’s 72nd Precinct

The 72nd Precinct has a new commanding officer in Captain Tommy Ng, who is the precinct’s first Chinese American commander during a time when the neighborhood’s Asian immigrant and inter-generational population continues to grow.

Ng is replacing outgoing Deputy Inspector James Grant, who served in the position since December, 2011 and has been promoted from captain, now taking over as commanding officer of the 19th Precinct in the Upper East Side.

The change in command was effective Monday, July 7.

During his tenure at the 72nd Precinct, Grant emphasized public safety and quality-of-life issues, as well as a continuation of community outreach and partnerships.

“I wish Deputy Inspector Grant well. We’re going to miss him dearly,’ said Donna Maxil, president of the 72nd Precinct Community Council. “The new captain has big shoes to fill just as Grant did when [Deputy Inspector Raul] Pintos left. I wish him the best always.”

Ng, 42, comes to Sunset Park with over 17 years with the NYPD under his belt, many of them spent working in predominantly Asian communities such as Flushing and Bayside, Queens. Most recently, he was the executive officer at the 109th Precinct in Flushing, where he oversaw pedestrian safety initiatives, in addition to his duties handling grand larceny cases, burglaries, accidents and as second-in-command to the CO.

A Brooklyn resident, Ng is bilingual and moved to the United States from Hong Kong at the age of 16.

The 72nd Precinct oversees local law enforcement and community interactions within all of Sunset Park and parts of Greenwood Heights and South Park Slope, from 65th Street up to 15th Street and from Eighth Avenue to the waterfront.

Residents can meet Ng at the upcoming National Night Out 2014 on Tuesday, August 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Sunset Park soccer field, entrance at 44th Street and Sixth Avenue. There will also be live music, free food, games and public safety information.

Reporting contributed by Melissa Chan.

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