Deputy Commissioner Francis McReary
Police Commissioner Mitt Fitzsimmons announced his retirement from service today at a press conference in city hall. The Commissioner stated that he believed the time was right for a changing of the guard, and that he is confident the city will remain in good hands.
Mayor Ochoa was present and thanked the Commissioner for his years of fine service citing his “tireless dedication” and “unquestionable ethics”. Fitzsimmons began his service as Commissioner in 2003 when the previous Commissioner, Marshall Westhouse, was indicted for racketeering. Since then, the Liberty City Police Department has avoided any major scandals under Fitzsimmons.
The Mayor went on to announce that Deputy Commissioner Francis McReary would assume the position of acting Commissioner, and he reiterated his campaign pledge to curb crime with aggressive disruption of illegal weapon trafficking. The Deputy Commissioner said that he supports the Mayor on this issue, and that he is committed to lowering Liberty City
Despite Commissioner Fitzsimmons’ relatively smooth tenure, crime has been on the rise in Liberty City
When Mayor Ochoa was elected in 2008, Fitzsimmons supported the Mayor’s plan to reduce crime through gun control. Since then, the Mayor and Commissioner Fitzsimmons have come under fire due not only to the continued rise in crime, but also the glaring spike in violent and gang-related crimes.
The Mayor has responded to critics with pleas for patience, stating that “results will take time.” In the past, Deputy Commissioner McReary has voiced criticism of the Mayor’s plan for crime prevention, calling it “too indirect”.
