Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton backs George Grasso as Queens District Attorney

Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton on Monday backed former judge and former cop George Grasso in his bid for the Queens district attorney seat.

Grasso, a former Justice of the Queen’s Supreme Court, announced that he is challenging incumbent District Attorney Melinda Katz for a seat in this year’s Democratic Party primary.

“Judge Grasso is one of the most insightful lawyers I have worked with throughout my law enforcement career,” Bratton said. “He has covered the crime crisis in Queens and has the experience and knowledge to provide the public safety New Yorkers deserve.”

Bratton served twice as Chief Police Officer of the Big Apple, first from 1994 to 1996 and again from 2014 to 2016.

He believes that Grasso played a “key role” in the NYPD’s quality-of-life initiative during Bratton’s stay at One Police Plaza, as well as other anti-crime programs.

Grasso, a former officer who stepped down from the bench in August, said he “will continue to look to Commissioner Bratton for advice” if he is elected to the post.

Katz, who took office in 2020, is a former borough president and city council member.

Her campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.