Public Employee Press

Profile in Public Service
Diane Powell: Pride of Precinct 44

By JANE LaTOUR

In the southeast Bronx, the 44th Precinct of the New York Police Dept. serves a diverse community at the bottom in income and at the max for all the signs of poverty. Since 1998, Police Administrative Associate Diane Powell has been lending her 1,000-kilowatt smile and effervescent personality to the many tasks she undertakes at the 44th.

Recently, Powell’s exceptional talents and hard work earned her the NYPD’s Community Council Service Award. On May 16, she was recognized for “outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty.”

“The 44th precinct is unique,” she explained. “It’s interesting work, and you get to see the end product of helping people, but the public needs you so much and so often that it gets overwhelming at times.”

In 1995, the NYPD sent out fliers to other city agencies to recruit civilian staff. Powell, then at the Housing Preservation and Development Dept., took the leap. As a PAA, she performs some basic clerical services, including typing up complaints written by patrol officers and entering the data into the computer that assigns each complaint a number. But her day — or night, when she works the 4 to 12 shift — also includes handling irate and dissatisfied citizens. “We’re not trained by the Police Academy, but we do deal with a lot of rough situations,” she said. “We act as psychiatrists, social workers, and whatever else it takes to deal with people who are very upset.” Her greatest satisfaction comes when someone leaves the precinct feeling better than when they entered it.

Co-workers recognize that Powell contributes to the 44th in a consistent way that makes their work lives less onerous. Her supervisor, Sr. PAA Rose Bailey, pointed this out: “Diane is like the CEO here. Her job is never done!”

On a hot morning in July, reports of stolen vans come in over the radio with other static-ridden messages — all urgent. Officers file in and out of her office. After Powell’s speedy response to a request, Sgt. Francisco Perez said, “You’re the best.” Then he added, “I would say she’s indispensable. You just saw her in action: I needed a complaint and she had it. She even knew the number!”

Brand-new PAA Ruscelle Williams is functioning well under Powell’s watchful eyes. “Her tips are very helpful,” said Williams. “She even offered to work on my tour with me to help me get adjusted. Plus, she’s very funny!”

“You have to keep the joy,” said Powell. Police Officer Eddie Perez of the Narcotics Enforcement Unit said, “She’s like the Mother Hen here. She takes the time and always overextends herself to our officers and to assist the Command.”

Other interests keep the young-looking grandmother on the go. Aside from her family — two daughters and two grandchildren — Powell serves on the Parkchester Condominium Board. She is halfway to a master’s degree at Touro College, where she is preparing for her next career after retirement, possibly as a Special Education Teacher. Most mornings she substitute teaches Special Education classes at P.S. 106. “I got hooked by these kids,” she explained.

Street smarts
Powell combines street smarts, schoolhouse learning, and an infectious sense of fun. Her little dances, sunny disposition, and quick, compassionate responses shed a lot of light in a place that deals with domestic dramas, overcrowding, and lines of frustrated, anxiouspatrons every day. “I don’t need to watch ‘Hill Street Blues,’ ” said Powell.“I live it every day.”