CBS2 Exclusive One-On-One: NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill Talks About His Community Policing Plan

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police Commissioner James O'Neill is a native of Brooklyn and a 33-year veteran member of the NYPD, and he has worked to bring fundamental changes to the way the city is policed since he was sworn in back in September.

CBS2's Kristine Johnson sat down with O'Neill this week for an exclusive interview about the department and the new direction he is taking it.

Neighborhood policing is the cornerstone of O'Neill's administration – having the police connect with their community in a way never done before in the city.

"It will work, and it is working, because its primarily a crime-fighting model of policing," O'Neill said.

O'Neill is undertaking an expansion of a major program first launched under former police Commissioner Bill Bratton. It is a cooperative effort with local business owners, community and religious leaders and millions of residents – crime-fighting by forging relationships.

"In the old model of policing, it's usually just the precinct commander and two or three people from community affairs that did that reach-out," O'Neill said.

The commissioner says officers spend too much time racing from one 911 call to another. He said his plan will radically change that,

"We're actually shooting to have 30 percent of police officers a day not answering 911 jobs, so they actually have an opportunity to make those connections," O'Neill said.

He said he wants officers to become part of the neighborhoods where they work.

"That's the bottom line," O'Neill said. "We want the cops to take ownership. We want them to make those connections. We want them to go out there and meet people, and get to know people on a first-name basis."

In an effort to build trust, neighbors will see the same officers day-to-day, with some of them even reachable by cellphone. O'Neill said that can only lead to improved police work.

"Who knows better what's going on on the street; who knows what's going on better on the block than the people that live and work there?" he said.

O'Neill said that in turn will help keep officers safe.

"God forbid they need help; maybe they can't get to that radio. If they have that connection to someone in the community, maybe someone will call 911 and help them," O'Neill said.

The commissioner believes his plan will also help heal relationships between the police and the people they serve. O'Neill said the discord between police and the community weighs heavily on him personally and on the entire NYPD.

"It does weigh heavily on, I think, all members of the New York City Police Department," O'Neill said. "Being a precinct commander for such a long time, I knew that we had to do something to move forward."

The program has had some success around the country. But Chicago saw an increase in crime after budget cuts.

O'Neill's focus is on New York City, and is committed to see the program through.

"What's the old expression? It's hard to hate up close," he said.

Overall, crime and shootings in the five precincts with neighborhood policing are down slightly more than the citywide average since the program began in January.