We Lost A Good Man

Lieutenant Bryant Clark, a 30-year veteran of the Scarsdale Police Force retired in February. Among the many position he held at the force was the role of Public Information Officer which is how I got to know him. Lieutenant Clark was in charge of providing reports to the press and we spoke on a weekly basis for several years when he provided me with the police report. He was always kind, thoughtful and full of insights about the community --and by working with him I came to the realization that the Scarsdale Police are on the side of the residents and only want what’s best for the community. This was confirmed when I watched him serve as a mentor to many Scarsdale students whom he welcomed to the department for their Alternative School Internships or Senior Options projects. He was one of a kind and is already missed.

Here is a brief interview with Lieutenant Clark:

How many years have you worked in Scarsdale?

I worked in Scarsdale for just about 30 years having started on October 26, 1981. It is a day that I will never forget. I was 21 years old and excited to start my career in law enforcement as it was always what I wanted to do in life in terms of a career.

What was your background before joining the team here?

I had recently graduated from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a Specialization in Finance. I also had an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice.

What positions did you hold during your tenure?

I pretty much held every position that the department had. I was a Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Support Services Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant and Detective Lieutenant. As the Detective Lieutenant I also served as the Public Information Officer.

How has the force changed during the time you served?

I would have to say that the greatest change has to do with technology. That is probably been true of every job and profession over the last 30 years. We dispatch assignments to the car via computer and officers can complete their reports right from their vehicles. That was unheard of when I was a Patrol Officer.

Have parents and students attitudes changed over the years? If so, in what way?

I think that they have stayed pretty consistent actually. This is a community that has always put a high priority on youth issues and the police department has always recognized and addressed this priority.

What about the nature of crime in Scarsdale? Have you seen shifts in the kinds of crime we experience here?

Property crime has always been the most common crimes that occur in the Village of Scarsdale. The way that those crimes occur though has shifted somewhat. While we still have burglaries and an occasional auto theft, identity theft has become quite common. Of course that is a national trend so we aren't unique in this regard.

Were there any memorable cases you investigated and settled?

There have been many memorable cases that I have been involved with over my 14 years being in charge of the Investigation Section. Certainly the one with the highest profile was the simultaneous jewelry store robberies that occurred in the downtown business area. We worked on that case for the better part of six months. We had a great team working on that case with Det. Sgt. Anthony Filancia and Dets. Richard Fatigate, Russell Morvant and Mark Thomas. All of the individuals arrested received long prison sentences. As it turned out they were responsible for 25 robberies in three states so it was satisfying to get such dangerous individuals off the street.

What would you like to do with your time now?

Well I am currently weighing that now. I have taught at a local college for a number of years now and will continue to do that. While a member of the department I attended law school and have been a member of the New York State Bar for many years. I hope to be more active in the legal profession and hopefully do some good for people. I would like to do some writing, travel and keep in contact with my friends on the Scarsdale Police Department and in the community. I have met many wonderful people here. I will also stay active in the law enforcement community as I plan to stay active with the Westchester County Detective's Association.

We asked Chief John Brogan for a few words on Bryant Clark and here is what he had to say: “I have worked with Lt. Clark for close to thirty years and we enjoyed a productive relationship. I will miss him on a personal level and the Police Department will miss his acumen and expertise.”

“He had an affable personality and worked well with the press and the many community advocacy groups that he dealt with in his capacity as Detective Lieutenant. He was well respected by advocates for victims of domestic violence. I was in the bank the week after he retired and a former Village Mayor who is active in domestic violence issues approached me and the first thing he said was that the Police Department had lost a good man. I could only agree with him.”