NYCHA Community Gives Proud Sendoff to Retiring NYPD Community Affairs Officer 

On his last official day on the job, NYPD Detective Walter “Wally” Brant was treated to a hero’s welcome from the NYCHA community in Brooklyn.  

Gathering at the Police Service Area (PSA) 2 station, fellow law enforcement officers, longtime colleagues, NYCHA partners, and local community members expressed their gratitude and gave well wishes as Mr. Brant entered into retirement with a ceremonial “walk out” on July 31. It was a communal show of respect for a veteran officer and public servant who has left a mark on the lives of many youths, seniors, and other residents for the past 31 years.  

Throughout his 23 years as an NYPD Detective, Mr. Brant simultaneously served as a Community Affairs Officer for PSA 2, representing the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Brownsville, East New York, and Crown Heights. Often seen donning his royal blue-colored police shirt, Mr. Brant describes the role of Community Affairs Officers as providing a “familiar face” on the force for the residents living within their service area.  

“We’re the bond and the bridge between the community and the police in blue,” he stated.  

Over the years, Mr. Brant has sought to take that mission to heart in a variety of ways both big and small. From youth sporting events and programs to community functions for seniors and holiday celebrations with residents, Mr. Brant has built lasting bonds across the PSA 2 community at NYCHA. 

NYCHA’s young residents have held a particularly special place for the Detective, who has been active in everything from bicycle rides, flag football games, and proms, to anti-drug education programs and camps with military and law enforcement partners. Among the highlights, he recalled, was the donation of 50 brand-new bicycles to Brownsville youth by a bike ride organizer following an event at Citi Field.     

When it comes to NYCHA’s seniors, Mr. Brant has helped organize field trips, birthday parties, and various festivities, including a sneaker ball and a senior prom at local community centers. Each year, Mr. Brant and his fellow Community Affairs Officers have also been actively involved in NYCHA Family Days and National Night Out events, along with helping to feed seniors on Thanksgiving and give away Toys for Tots during the holidays.     

“I feel privileged because I get to see the other side of NYCHA that a lot of cops don’t get to see; a lot of cops don’t get to see the fun part of NYCHA, and to me, that’s what’s rewarding,” he explained.  

One program that exemplifies how Mr. Brant and other community officers seek to connect with local youth is the Police Athletic League’s Cops & Kids, which aims to break down barriers and foster better relationships between youth and police through sports. Such positive interactions have allowed Mr. Brant to not only develop a bond with young residents but their families as well, with many staying in touch as they’ve journeyed into adulthood.  

“Just to watch the kids and the smiles on their faces, it changes you, even for the hardest cop,” he said, describing the impact of youth-focused programs. “It separates you from your job and creates a bond with a kid, where the kid will never forget you. It’s a great feeling to change someone’s life.”   

Erenisse Tavarez, NYCHA’s Vice President for Manhattan Public Housing Operations who worked closely with Mr. Brant and other PSA 2 officers in past years, said they “exemplify the best of what community policing can achieve.”  

“They knew all the kids as they grew up, and through programs like Cops & Kids, they transformed the perception of police from being a threat to being trusted members of the community,” Ms. Tavarez said. “These efforts were great for NYCHA, strengthening our community bonds and creating a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.”  

Community policing at its core, Mr. Brant noted, is about much more than patrolling the streets but getting to know the inner workings of the neighborhoods and the people who reside there, which creates a family-like atmosphere. During his years working the NYCHA housing beat, Mr. Brant has immersed himself within the community, learning his way around the developments, forming relationships with staff at all levels, and engaging with residents on a personal level.    

Chief James Secreto, NYCHA’s Vice President for Public Safety and Security, is a former NYPD veteran, PSA Commander, and Chief of the Housing Bureau who has known Mr. Brant for over 25 years. Calling Detective Brant a dedicated public servant, Chief Secreto said he “epitomizes the best of New York’s finest.” 

“Everyone in Brownsville, East New York, and the New York City Housing Authority community knows Detective Wally Brant for all the work and contributions he’s made,” Chief Secreto said. “His career is an exceptional one that has left a lasting impression. He will surely be missed, but certainly remembered as someone who committed his life to the community he served.” 

While he expressed “bittersweet” sentiments as he stepped down from his longtime NYPD position, Mr. Brant looked ahead to the next phase with hopes of continuing to find ways to serve the community.  

“It’s a new chapter; as they say, there’s life after work,” he said of retirement. “I think I’m going to come back and give support to people who need it.”  

Reflecting on his three decades in law enforcement, Detective Brant expressed fulfillment about a career in which he rose up the ranks while also living up to the ideals of community policing.    

“I put a lot in but got a lot out,” he concluded. “It’s been a long, fun ride, with some ups and downs, but I think I did well. I made a lot of friends, changed a lot of lives, and they taught me a lot, too.”   

Featured photo caption: NYPD Detective Walter Brant is saluted during a ceremonial “walk out” for his retirement after 31 years in law enforcement.