Ray Kelly is the longest-serving Commissioner in the history of the NYPD and the first person to hold the post for two non-consecutive tenures. A lifelong New Yorker, Kelly had spent 45 years in the NYPD, serving in 25 different commands and as Police Commissioner from 1992 to 1994 and again from 2002 until 2013. Kelly was the first person to rise from Police Cadet to Police Commissioner, holding most ranks, along the way.
Throughout his career, Kelly has been widely recognized for his leadership and innovation in law enforcement. He is credited with developing and implementing numerous crime reduction strategies, including the use of data analytics and intelligence-driven policing techniques. He also led efforts to enhance the NYPD’s counterterrorism capabilities in the wake of the September 11th attacks.
Kelly has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the Alexander Hamilton Medal from the New York Law School. He has also authored several books on law enforcement and public safety, including “Vigilance: My Life Serving America and Protecting Its Empire City” and “The Times Square Bombing.”
He remains a highly respected figure in law enforcement and public safety and is widely regarded as one of the most effective and accomplished police commissioners in the history of the NYPD.
