The head of the NYPD is thanking local communities for their support, and calling for improved relationships with officers. 

Commissioner Bill Bratton spoke to a group of business leaders in Downtown Brooklyn Thursday about how the department will move forward following a difficult time and growing tension. 

Bratton praised the city's residents for the outpouring of support they've shown in light of the killing of two detectives. However, he said even more is needed because of the often dangerous situations that officers put themselves in. 

The commissioner referenced the wounding of two other officers in the Bronx, saying they're an example of how members of the force continue to run out the door and put themselves in harm's way to protect the city. 

Bratton also brought up the controversial stop-and-frisk tactic and broken window policing, saying that the NYPD will continue to use the methods when appropriate in order to decrease crime and improve quality of life. 

When asked about a reported decline in police activity, Bratton blamed it on exhaustion, saying that officers have not only been working overtime during weeks of protests, but are also emotionally drained due to the recent tragedies within the department. 

Bratton received a standing ovation from the crowd as he left.