Following nearly a month of protests around the country and city leading to major reforms in the NYPD, the commanding officer of the Bronx’s 46th Precinct is answering back by retiring in protest. 

For the last 27 years, Deputy Inspector Richard Brea has been a member of the NYPD, but on Friday, the commanding officer handed in his papers as a show of protest over the recent developments around the force. 

Officers in attendance tell News 12 that the walking out ceremony was as big as any they’d ever seen, with a helicopter flyover and multiple standing ovations from a crowd, which included members of multiple precincts. 

As the New York Post has reported, Brea has grown frustrated over the last few weeks over a lack of guidance from higher-ups on how to deal with guns and drugs in the neighborhood, as well as the disbanding of the reassignment of his anti-crime unit. 

In his farewell speech, Brea alleged that weak political leadership threatens to bring the city back to the '70s and '80s while dishonoring the memories of officers who sacrificed their lives along the way. 

“Their blood is in the concrete of every street corner, but these politicians don't want to remember that. They want to blame and vilify everyone here.  I won't have that. No sir,” said Brea. 

Officers in the crowd told News 12 off-camera that Brea is a hero to them because of how he’s going out. 

Mayor Bill de Blasio was asked about Brea Friday morning and responded saying that he knows there’s a lot of challenges and frustration during times of adjustment, but that the city will work with them down to a local level, and he hopes anyone committed to public safety will understand.