Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Caught off guard.
"I was surprised, as I imagine the Police Commissioner was surprised by the change," said David Rivera, Niagara District Common Council member when he joined WBEN on Tuesday.
After three years in the post, Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon announced that Joe Gramaglia would no longer serve as Police Commissioner, and that First Deputy Commissioner Alphonso Wright was taking over as Acting Buffalo Police Commissioner as of Tuesday.
Scanlon cited a change in philosophies and priorities as the reasoning for this change.
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Rivera says no one saw it coming.
"I think Joe Gramaglia has been one of the most effective commissioners in
the department and in city government. He's raised the level of professionalism, is well respected in the police community and has implemented so many things," Rivera said.
Rivera called it a critical appointment. In fact, he called it one of the most important appointments a mayor can make.
"It deals with the general public," he said. "People have to trust the Buffalo Police Department and its leadership especially in times of tensions and problems. The May 14 mass shooting in 2022, Gramaglia's work was critically important in relieving tensions and hurt that the community was experiencing.
"This is a loss for the city of Buffalo. He'll be greatly missed."
Regarding the difference in philosophies, Scanlon mentioned that Gramaglia was focused on violent crimes, while he wants to emphasize quality of life issues.
"It's shouldn't be either, or. You need to tackle both," Rivera said. "People want to move into a city and do business in a city that is safe. And we have to make sure that we provide that service. Gramaglia has done that.
Violent crimes have gone down. We have police officers in the community. And we have community liaisons in the districts."
In terms of prioritizing them, Rivera explained that any call that goes through 911 is prioritized. Less quality of life calls will take a little longer to get to. Police respond to the most urgent crimes.
Rivera, who is a former Buffalo police officer, chairs the Common Council's Police Oversight Committee. He noted that Scanlon, when he was a council member on that committee, had opportunities to speak out about those things, but never once mentioned that the police department needed to go in a different direction.