Mayor Fulop Appoints NYPD Deputy Chief James Shea as Public Safety Director  Concludes National Search Headed by Former NYPD/FDNY Commissioner Howard Safir

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop today announced the appointment of NYPD Deputy Chief James Shea as the new Public Safety Director for Jersey City overseeing the Police and Fire Departments following an extensive national search.

Shea, who will reside in Jersey City, has most recently served as Deputy Chief of the NYPD responsible for the Youth and Gang Crime Division, focusing on the expansion and enhancement of the division and targeting a reduction in gang violence. Other recent assignments have included commanding some of the toughest areas,working on issues such as robberies, street crime and terrorism.

“Jersey City has been dealing with serious public safety issues for some time, which my administration is committed to addressing immediately,” said Mayor Fulop. “James has both the experience, knowledge, and management skills to implement real change as it relates to public safety and I am confident he will lead Jersey City on the right path toward reducing crime and making our city one of the safest mid-size cities in
America.”

“Mayor Fulop has made an excellent choice in Deputy Chief James Shea as Director of Public Safety,” said New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. “Over the course of his 22-year career at the NYPD, Chief Shea has proven himself to be an innovative crime-fighting strategist and a highly effective leader. He has served the public with great distinction as a member of the NYPD and the United States Marine
Corps. I know the residents of Jersey City will benefit greatly from his vast experience in law enforcement and his commitment to their security.”

For two years, Shea served as Commanding Officer of the NYPD Contingent for the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorist Task Force, overseeing national security investigations, conducting briefings of threats and investigations up to the White House level, coordinating the planning and deployment for emergency management and high level special events, as well as coordinating personnel from more than 50 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

During his tenure with the NYPD, Shea also served as the Commanding Officer of the 49th & 47th Precincts in the Bronx, leading more than 300 uniformed and civilian personnel and overseeing all law enforcement operations within two communities each with more than 100,000 residents. In the Bronx, Shea designed, developed and implemented crime control and public safety functions including supervision of
operations, investigations, training, budgeting, and quality control, as well as analyzing criminal and demographic trends and indicators for presentation to community groups, elected officials and the media.

Shea also served as Commanding Officer of the NYPD’s Citywide Robbery Division and the NYPD Police Academy, and has worked in a supervisory role in Manhattan’s Organized Crime Control Bureau and in the NYPD’s Patrol Services Bureau for the 28th, 9th, and 46th Precincts.
“Having led two busy precincts in the Bronx, James has the management experience to oversee
public safety operations in a city as large and diverse as Jersey City,” said Mayor Fulop.
“Additionally, with James’ specific experience in gang and youth violence, as well as terrorism and homeland security issues, he stood out as an ideal candidate for the position of Public Safety
Director.”

Shea, a former United States Marine, is also a graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University School of Business and holds a BS in Police Science from the City University of New York.

“It is an honor to join the Fulop Administration and to work for the people of Jersey City,” said James Shea. “I am excited to have the opportunity to work alongside the dedicated professionals of Jersey City’s Police and Fire Departments to enact Mayor Fulop’s vision for Jersey City.”

A search for candidates for the position of Public Safety Director was conducted by Vigilant Resources International, which is headed by former NYPD Commissioner Howard Safir. The search was not funded by taxpayer dollars, but rather by private donations. Mayor Fulop has announced that his administration is creating a new Public Safety Department as part of his restructuring and streamlining of government.