A recently appointed community affairs detective has proven that he is more than qualified for the position.
Forty-ninth Precinct Community Affairs police officer David Lepore, who was named to the position last July, is actually in his second career.
Lepore was born and raised in Westchester County and attended SUNY Albany as well as Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and English in 2002.
He has also participated in the Adopt-a-Highway program and serves as a volunteer firefighter in Westchester at two different firehouses.
He first pursued his journalism carrer at Gannett Newspapers, a Westchester daily newspaper, where he worked the sports beat.
He entered the NYC Police Academy in 2005 after a short stint writing for a Fifth Avenue public relations firm.
Shortly after 9-11 Lepore’s primary focus shifted from writing to helping and servicing others in his community.
After graduating from the academy, he was assigned to the 40th Precinct. He would spend the next six months at the precinct, before being assigned to the 49th Precinct as a patrol officer in 2006. He would hold the position until 2012, when he was named the Domestic Violence officer of the 49th.
Since Lepore accepted the Community Affairs position last July, his goal has focused on bridging gaps between residents, businesses and the precinct, addressing local issues and correcting them with proper solutions as well as serving not only as a police officer but also as a guide and a mentor for who he care the most about the community.
“I’ve always had interest in becoming a police officer, but more importantly helping others – so it has really made sense to take this career path,” said Lepore, whose cousin was once a police officer in New Jersey. “At heart, I’ve always enjoyed helping people, even if it meant I was putting others before myself.”
His mother, a teacher, and father, a funeral director, were instrumental in formulating Lepore’s desire to help others and he grateful he received the opportunity to work in community affairs.
“I’m extremely blessed to be in the position I’m in, a job I love in a very friendly, pro-police community which has been very welcoming along with a great partner (police officer Jay Sturdivant) and a great commanding officer (Keith Walton), as well of the support of my wife and family. I am eternally grateful and I hope I can have a successful career while keeping the community happy and safe.”
“He (Lepore) is a wonderful addition to this neighborhood – he is very eager, motivated and has a great approach towards his job,” said Jeremy Warneke, district manager for Community Board 11. “It’s great to have a new, fresh personality like him in the community and I certainly wish him all the best.”
Lepore replaced Victor DiPierro, who was in community affairs at the 49th Precinct for over 10 years and at the precinct for 20 years.
