Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today named former First Deputy Police Commissioner Tosano (Tony) Simonetti to the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB). Mr. Simonetti was appointed to the CCRB as one of the members designated by Police Commissioner Howard Safir. He replaces Raymond J. Aab, whose term to the Board expired in 1996.
"Tony Simonetti has just concluded a distinguished 40-year career as a police officer, rising through the ranks of the NYPD," Mayor Giuliani said. "New York is truly blessed that, in retirement, Tony will continue to serve New Yorkers as a member of the Civilian Complaint Review Board. He will replace another member of the CCRB, Raymond J. Aab, who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Board. I am honored to name Tony to the CCRB."
The Civilian Complaint Review Board, chaired by Mel Barkan, is an independent agency with the power to hear, investigate and recommend action upon complaints by members of the public against the Police Department. As expressed in the City Charter, the Police Commissioner has the right to designate three members to the CCRB and to recommend these designees to the Mayor. In addition to the Police Commissioner's appointees, the Mayor and the City Council each appoint five members to the Board.
Mr. Simonetti began his law enforcement career in 1957 patrolling the streets of Manhattan's 14th Precinct. He has held almost every uniformed position in the Department and has commanded the 9th, 120th, Midtown North and Midtown South Precincts and the Patrol Bureau Staten Island and Patrol Borough Brooklyn South.
In 1996, Police Commissioner Safir appointed Simonetti to the position of First Deputy Police Commissioner, where he served until his retirement last week. During the last month, Mr. Simonetti served as Acting Police Commissioner while Commissioner Safir recovered from heart surgery.
Mr. Simonetti earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the City University of New York and a master's degree in psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He and his wife Sally have been married for 38 years and have two children, Diane and Anthony.