Queens Teen Gets to Hang with Top Cop

By
Jenna Flanagan
WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, stepped aside temporarily to welcome this year's winner of the Police Athletic Leagues annual "Police Commissioner for a Day" essay contest.

Gianna Lankenauth, 14, of Queens, will get to accompany Kelly on some of his official duties. Kelly says it's important for kids to see all aspects of the police department.

KELLY: Any thing that fosters interaction between the police and the community, particularly young people, I think is positive.

REPORTER: The high school freshman says so far Kelly has already changed her opinion of him.

LANKENAUTH: He's not scary, he's really nice. [giggles]

REPORTER: Lankenauth's essay, "How to Reduce Crime in New York," won out over 120 entries. Other high school students were selected to shadow deputy commissioners, police chiefs, borough commanders and precinct captains.

Be alert for scams. WNYC never asks for nor accepts money for coverage or interviews. Anyone making such a request does not represent WNYC.

Profile Image
Jenna Flanagan

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress

A primer on the races for governor, attorney general and the congressional districts that could help determine control of the U.S. House.
Gothamist |

Gina Hinojosa Aims to Make Texas Blue Again. Plus, Reading Is Alive and Well

A Texas Democrat is running neck and neck with the Republican incumbent in the governor’s race. And a staff writer says that news of the demise of books is greatly exaggerated.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

Claire Valdez on populism and the DSA agenda in Congress

Who’s Running This Place |

The Classroom/Technology Pipeline

Natasha Singer's new book explores how big tech became ensconced in our childrens' classrooms
On the Media |
YOU ARE ONLINE