NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton was honored during an event at the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club in Brooklyn Wednesday night.

Bratton visited the club in Flatbush and told the audience that the department would work to gain the “respect, trust and commitment” of the community.

“I want this to be your police,” he told the crowd, which included police brass and local youth who attend the center. “We are your friends not your enemies.”

Bratton also noted that NYPD Chief of Department Philip Banks, who was at the event, attended the Madison Square Club as a child.

Bratton’s wife, Rikki Klieman, also spoke about the importance of working with children.

“My passion is all about the children,” she said. “If we don’t provide a safe haven at a young age we will lose them. We are all here tonight to give them a hug.”