EXPERIENCE
2014-2021
New York City Police Department
New York, New York
First Deputy Commissioner
Executive
As the 43rd, First Deputy Commissioner, and second-in-command of the NYPD, my direct responsibilities include the following areas: Training, Support Services, Risk Management, and Criminal Justice. In addition, oversight of Disciplinary Matters (i.e., the Department Advocate -charged with prosecuting misconduct, the Deputy Commissioner Trials - charged with adjudicating alleged misconduct; Force Investigations Division - charged with investing all officer involved shootings and firearm discharges, deaths in custody, and suicides; the Offices of Labor Relations, and Professional Development. I Chair the Use of Force Review Board, which reviews all firearm discharge cases and put forth recommendations to the Police Commissioner for his review relative to the efficacy of officer conduct, and/or ancillary action pertaining to tactics, training, policy, body worn cameras, or police-community relations. I am principal liaison to the Federal District Court appointed Federal Monitor charged with implementing court ordered remedial measures resulting from Stop & Frisk litigation. I am also Liaison to the office of New York State Attorney General, who by the Governor’s executive order was designated Special Prosecutor to investigate & prosecute certain matters involving the death of an unarmed civilian caused by a law enforcement officer.
2014 -2014
New York City Police Department
New York, New York
Deputy Commissioner of Training
Executive
Developed and shaped the vision for progressive and innovative, research based education and training for the 50,000 members of the Department to meet the challenges of policing in the 21st century. Directed the development and delivery of recruit training, field training, firearms and tactics, in-service, specialized, and leadership education for 35,000 sworn and 17,000 civilian members of the department. Developed and implemented a post-academy field training program for probationary police officers. Directed the design and development of in-service refresher training to be administered to twenty thousand police officers, Sergeants, and Lieutenants. Directed the review and assessment of curriculum for the recruit training school and direct revisions to enhance the delivery and method of instruction. Managed the completion of construction on the new 32 acre state-of-the-art Police Academy Training complex. Oversaw the transition of Training bureau staff to the new facility. Oversaw the planning and development of state-of -the- art upgrades to the existing Outdoor Firearms and Tactics Range and the Driver Training Facility. I advised the Police Commissioner and the Mayor with respect to policy and procedures, strengthening police-community relations and building trust through every aspect of academic and tactical training and the active engagement of community partners.
2010-2014
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D.C.
Deputy Director, Office of State, Local, & Tribal Affairs
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Executive
Presidential Nominee and United States Senate confirmed appointee overseeing a $500 million budget, effectively directed and leveraged the following programs advancing the President’s National Drug Control Strategy: the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, coordinating domestic federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in their efforts to dismantle and disrupt drug trafficking and money laundering organizations; the Drug Free Communities Support program (DFC) funding community-based substance use prevention coalitions in 49 states and four U.S. Territories/Protectorates; the Award Winning National Youth Anti-Drug Media “Above the Influence” (ATI) Campaign, validated by independent studies showing its positive effect on the reduction of teen drug use; the Counter-Drug Technology Assessment Center(CTAC), providing innovative technology and associated training support to federal, state and local law enforcement. Directed and coordinated criminal justice policy to assess, develop, implement and evaluate new strategies to drive cost effective public safety and public health systems change.
1999-Present
Educator
Pace University
New York, New York
Professor
Tenured professor teaching courses in criminal justice, police management, constitutional and criminal law and comparative criminal justice systems; faculty advisor to students majoring in criminal justice; managed and oversaw the criminal justice internship program; chaired the criminal justice department’s faculty hiring committee; member of the Pace University Board of Trustees Student Affairs Committee. Spokesperson, providing written and oral comment on issues in the media related to community policing, police-community relations, criminal justice policy and government relations.
1999-Present
Executive
New York City Department of Education
New York, New York
Chief Executive
Established and directed the first Office of School Safety and Planning for New York City schools; oversaw all matters relating to the safety and security of 1.1 million school children and 1200 schools. Managed the day-to-day administration and operations of attendance, discipline, truancy, and prevention and intervention services; coordinated all facets of school security and emergency response in conjunction with the New York City Police Department to ensure a safe environment in all schools; advised the Chancellor and the Mayor on policy relating to the school climate and safety of the school district; directed operations, drafted and implemented agency policy to improve emergency preparedness system-wide; ensured agency compliance with municipal, state and federal mandates relating to student performance, safety and security. Designed and implemented the New Beginnings Program to support effective educational alternatives for students over-age for grade, at-risk of dropping out of school, and involvement with the criminal justice system.
1999-2002
Executive
Benjamin B. Tucker and Associates
New York, New York
Management Consultant,
Provided professional services in the areas of management, systems change, research, program review, and government relations to non-governmental organizations clientele including: The Vera Institute of Justice, The Urban Institute Justice Policy Center, Abt. Associates, The National Center for Victims of Crime, and the Yale Law School China Law Center; as well as Federal, state, and local government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Nassau County District Attorney and the Philadelphia Police Department.
1995-1999
Executive
U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
Washington, DC
Deputy Director for Operations
Established and directed the first Office of School Safety and Planning for New York City schools; oversaw all matters relating to the safety and security of 1.1 million school children and 1200 schools. Managed the day-to-day administration and operations of attendance, discipline, truancy, and prevention and intervention services; coordinated all facets of school security and emergency response in conjunction with the New York City Police Department to ensure a safe environment in all schools; advised the Chancellor and the Mayor on policy relating to the school climate and safety of the school district; directed operations, drafted and implemented agency policy to improve emergency preparedness system-wide; ensured agency compliance with municipal, state and federal mandates relating to student performance, safety and security. Designed and implemented the New Beginnings Program to support effective educational alternatives for students over-age for grade, at-risk of dropping out of school, and involvement with the criminal justice system.
1994-1995
Executive
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA)
New York, New York
Director of Field Operations/Senior Research Associate
Developed, planned and implemented “Opportunity to Succeed” (OPTS), a five city research demonstration project designed to test and evaluate the provision of post-incarceration services for substance abusing ex-offenders, coordinated program evaluation with the Urban Institute; advised CASA program directors of the Center’s Policy and Research, and Medical departments on matters related to project development in the areas of policing and corrections; Serving as subject matter expert, advised the Chairman and President on a broad range of criminal justice matters.
1999-Present
Executive
New York City Department of Education
New York, New York
Chief Executive
Established and directed the first Office of School Safety and Planning for New York City schools; oversaw all matters relating to the safety and security of 1.1 million school children and 1200 schools. Managed the day-to-day administration and operations of attendance, discipline, truancy, and prevention and intervention services; coordinated all facets of school security and emergency response in conjunction with the New York City Police Department to ensure a safe environment in all schools; advised the Chancellor and the Mayor on policy relating to the school climate and safety of the school district; directed operations, drafted and implemented agency policy to improve emergency preparedness system-wide; ensured agency compliance with municipal, state and federal mandates relating to student performance, safety and security. Designed and implemented the New Beginnings Program to support effective educational alternatives for students over-age for grade, at-risk of dropping out of school, and involvement with the criminal justice system.
1992-1994
Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University
New York, New York
Operations Coordinator/Senior Research Associate
Executive
Managed Children at Risk (CAR) a multi-site research demonstration project, including project design, site selection, research coordination; designed and developed the community policing training module for CAR sites in five participating cities; provided training and technical assistance to program operators reinforcing the efficacy of community oriented policing and services integration.
1990-1991
Executive
Manhattan Borough President’s Office
New York, New York
Chief of Operations
Directed the daily operations of the office and assumed all administrative duties and responsibilities in the absence of the Borough President; managed all administrative, personnel, and budget matters related to establishing the newly formed office; oversaw labor relations and disciplinary matters; advised the Borough President on criminal justice matters. Directed the daily operations of the office and assumed all administrative duties and responsibilities in the absence of the Borough President; managed all administrative, personnel, and budget matters related to establishing the newly formed office; oversaw labor relations and disciplinary matters; advised the Borough President on criminal justice matters.
1989-1989
Executive
New York City Commission on Human Rights
New York, New York
First Deputy Commissioner/Executive Director
Directed the daily operations of the office and assumed all administrative duties and responsibilities in the absence of the Borough President; managed all administrative, personnel, and budget matters related to establishing the newly formed office; oversaw labor relations and disciplinary matters; advised the Borough President on criminal justice matters. Directed the daily operations of the office and assumed all administrative duties and responsibilities in the absence of the Borough President; managed all administrative, personnel, and budget matters related to establishing the newly formed office; oversaw labor relations and disciplinary matters; advised the Borough President on criminal justice matters.
Download full curriculum vitae
EDUCATION & HONORS
1981
JD Fordham University School of Law
1977
BS John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York
2019
Doctor of Laws, (honoris causa), Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
1977
Certificate Residence in Oxford; The Oxford Round Table; Oxford, England
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
PRESS
Black History Is Our History: First Deputy Commissioner Ben Tucker Is NYPD's Highest-Ranking Black Officer
NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin B. Tucker Reflects on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Building Bridges hosts NYPD First Deputy Police Commissioner Benjamin B Tucker
First Deputy Police Commissioner Benjamin Tucker is planning to write a book detailing his time in the police department under Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Tucker — the second in command for the NYPD — Police Commissioner Dermot Shea and many other high-ranking NYPD officials are stepping down at the end of the month as Mayor-elect Eric Adams takes over at City Hall.
Ben Tucker, our highest ranking Black official
As we come to the end of Black History Month, the NYPD wants to call attention to Ben Tucker, our highest ranking Black official and someone who has served New York City and the Nation for fifty years.
Tucker was sworn in as an NYPD trainee in 1969, the decade of the Civil Rights Movement when national leaders were assassinated and tension between police and the Black community often erupted on the streets. CBS2's Kristine Johnson reports.
Meet First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin Tucker
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New #NYPD Deputy Commissioner is #FordhamLaw alumnus
As we come to the end of Black History Month, the NYPD wants to call attention to Ben Tucker, our highest ranking Black official and someone who has served New York City and the Nation for fifty years.