Police Officers of the Year Honored by Local Leaders

BY SAM SPOKONY with video by DON MATHISEN  |  Members of the Downtown community gathered on December 12 to honor a group of local police officers for exemplary service this year.

The 10th Annual Safe City, Safe Streets Luncheon, organized by the Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce (GVCCC), recognized NYPD service throughout the ranks, but it specifically highlighted five Officers of the Year for 2013.

The winners were Officer Liam Cawley, of the Sixth Precinct; Officer Sergio De La Mota, of the Ninth Precinct; Sergeant Michael Filomena, of the 10th Precinct; Officer Leonardo Nimo, of the 13th Precinct; and Officer Michael Relf, of the 14th Precinct.

Those honorees gained particular distinction because of their work on quality-of-life issues within their communities, as well as for numerous major arrests over of the past year.

“You’re our local heroes,” said GVCCC President Natale Scopelliti, adding that the luncheon is “one of the most rewarding and meaningful events our organization puts together.”

Cawley, whose Sixth Precinct includes Greenwich Village, was only assigned there a year ago — but he has already made a strong impact as part of the precinct’s Midnight Conditions Unit, which focuses directly on the needs of local residents and commercial tenants. Since joining the NYPD in 2010, he has already made 153 arrests, 15 of which were for felony crimes.

“It’s really an honor, and I know I couldn’t be here without the help of my supervisor and my partner, but it means a lot to be recognized for this work,” said Cawley after the award ceremony.

De La Mota, whose Ninth Precinct includes the East Village, has been on the force for six years, and has made more than 450 arrests in his career. But he is recognized most for high-profile arrests that were made as part of the precinct’s Anti-Crime Team, including his key role in taking down the “Money Boy Gang” that had terrorized Lower East Side communities.

“People sometimes say this is a thankless job, but it really does feel great to be named like this,” said De La Mota, who added that taking down the gang was a “great accomplishment.”

Filomena, who has been working at the 10th Precinct, which covers Chelsea, for around 20 years, was honored for mentoring and motivating young officers along with carrying out his own work. In his time at the precinct, he has carried out 541 felony arrests and 407 misdemeanor arrests.

Councilmember-elect Corey Johnson, who in January will go from being chair of Community Board 4 to taking office in the Council’s District 3, further honored the winning officers in his remarks as the event’s keynote speaker.

“What I’ve learned at CB4 is how truly strong our neighborhoods area,” said Johnson, “and part of that is due to the great relationships that exist between our communities and both our elected officials and police.”