Deputy Commissioner of Training Benjamin Tucker is named First Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD. Tucker, who has 45 years of experience with the department, takes the position after Police Chief Philip Banks III made waves last week turning down the job.
Tucker began his career with the NYPD in 1969 when he started as a police trainee becoming a uniformed officer in 1972. In 1991 he retired after 22 years and was nominated by President Barack Obama as deputy director in the Office of National Drug Policy Control.
In January he came back to the NYPD serving as Deputy Commissioner of Training. Tucker was sworn in at a press conference at police headquarters on Wednesday. He is the No. 2 person in leadership of the NYPD and the highest ranking African American in the department.
"Mr. Tucker brings a wealth of knowledge to the position," said City Council Member Jumaane Williams. "At the same time, it is our hope that he believes in and has the authority to help lead the department toward the cultural systemic shift that is needed. We know that there is a systemic issue within the department that revolves around race and class in this city, and we need leadership within the department to deal with tensions that have plagued the NYPD and communities of more color for decades."
The Rev. Al Sharpton said he met with President Obama on Wednesday along with four other civil rights leaders on his plans for his fourth quarter He also spoke with Mayor Bill de Blasio about Commissioner Bratton appointing Tucker as First Deputy Commissioner.
"I have known, Mr. Tucker, who like me is from Brooklyn, throughout the years though we have never worked closely together," Sharpton said. "I hope to meet with him about my concerns for the need for police reforms and fair interactions between community and policing. I would hope those conversations lead to a candid and fruitful continuation of making the city fairer and safer.”
Communities United for Police Reform said in a statement that Tucker will be judged on taking action to change the NYPD. The advocacy group also said that New Yorkers want concrete reform to the department.
"Ray Kelly noted this week that the NYPD currently looks the same as it did before de Blasio was elected. Bratton, Tucker and other senior leadership at the NYPD must focus on ensuring that officers are not treated as above the law when they brutalize civilians. They must end discriminatory practices such as unlawful searches, racially-biased marijuana arrests and hyper-enforcement of minor infractions in communities of color,” said Priscilla Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for Communities United for Police Reform .
The installation of Tucker comes after the shocking resignation of Banks last week.