A longtime member of the NYPD said goodbye to his fellow officers for the last time Friday. 

After almost 30 years, deputy inspector and commander of the 42nd Precinct Ernest Morales is leaving the department to become the first deputy commissioner of the Mount Vernon Police Department. 

Morales says he could not have asked for a better support staff in the NYPD. 

 

However, he tells News 12 he could not pass up on this upcoming opportunity. 

"Today was the right day to retire. It's been a phenomenal career. The city has helped me achieve the American dream,” said Morales. 

Along with serving as the NYPD deputy inspector, Morales also participated in several New York marathons and competed as a professional boxer.