New top cop in Falls leads by example

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Bryan Dalporto is the new top cop in Niagara Falls and the 42-year-old hasn't wasted time putting his mark on policing in the Cataract City.

Already, patrol units on the street have been beefed up by reassigning officers who were performing other duties.

"I think there's only one way to lead, and that's from the front," Dalporto said. "I thought it was important to show a police presence in Niagara Falls, to give people a feeling of safety throughout the city."

More flexibility means a bigger police presence not just with patrol cars but on foot. Officer Ron Cirrito was walking the beat along busy Pine Avenue on Monday.

"If you're the kind of officer that's out there talking to the people and you get a good report with them, that definitely happens quite a bit, especially if they trust you," Cirrito said.

Dalporto grew up in Niagara Falls. He has spent 15 years on the force, 10 of those in the narcotics division. And despite the big promotion, Dalporto says he won't be spending a lot of time behind a desk. He plans on being hands on, in the trenches, doing police work.

A quote from Army General George S. Patton is taped to his computer: "Always do everything you ask of those you command."

Dalporto said, "You could never be questioned if you're asking someone to do something if you are willing to do it yourself."

The new police superintendent is big on community relations and wants to develop a rapport with the public. Right now the city is dealing with an uptick in crime. Since the beginning of the year there have been about five robberies targeting convenience stores.

"It is a lot and that's why we're working on it. It's been identified as an issue and we're putting as much manpower as physically possible to solve the crimes and end it," Dalporto said.

He says detectives are working on leads and he expects progress in the cases. He says the crimes involved the threat or use of a weapon. But at this time, the new superintendent says it's unclear if they're all connected.