Bratton (William J.) is born in Dorchester.

William Bratton joins the Boston Police Department in 1970, rises through the ranks, and serves as commissioner from January 1993 to January 1994. A strong proponent of the “Broken Windows” theory of policing to create a sense of law and order, he goes on to serve twice as commissioner of the New York City Police Department as well as commissioner of the Los Angeles Police Department.