After he retires as NYPD commissioner, Ray Kelly is going to have a lot of company.
According to Murray Weiss of DNAinfo New York, the NYPD Intelligence Division has recommended Kelly, upon retiring, be provided with a 10-man, 24/7 security detail — an increase from the six-man detail Kelly had requested earlier. The detail will cost taxpayers more than $1.5 million per year and will include three sergeants, one lieutenant and six detectives.
After six months, the department will reassess Kelly's security needs.
More from Murray Weiss at DNAinfo New York:
This will be the second time Kelly exited Police Headquarters with NYPD protection.
In 1994, after Kelly served as police commissioner for 18 months under Mayor David Dinkins, he kept one detective to chauffeur and escort him around town. After four months, the detective was restored to regular police duties.
Generally, ex-commissioners eschew city-funded protection or pay for it themselves if they can afford it, or ultimately ask any future private sector employer to pick up the tab.
Only one other police commissioner has ever accepted taxpayer-funded police protection after leaving office.
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