| John F. Timoney | |
|---|---|
| Born 1948 (age 63–64) | |
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland |
| Years of service | Camden County, NJ PD: 2011 - Miami PD: 2003-2010 Philadelphia PD: 1998-2003 New York PD: 1967-1998 |
| Rank | Present - Police Consultant 2010 - Chief of Police 2003 - Commissioner 1995 - First Deputy Commissioner 1994 - Chief of Department 1992 - Deputy Chief 1990 - Inspector 1988 - Deputy Inspector 1985 - Captain 1983 - Lieutenant 1980 - Sergeant 1969 - Police Officer 1967 - Police Trainee |
| Relations | Noreen (wife) Christine (daughter) Sean (son) |
| Other work | Law enforcement and security consultant |
John F. Timoney (born c. 1948) is an accomplished law enforcement executive, who most recently served as Chief of the Miami Police Department (from 2003–2010). He was previously Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department (from 1998–2003), and also held a variety of positions with the New York Police Department (from 1967–1998), including its Chief of Department (senior sworn/unformed position) and First Deputy Commissioner (#2 position).
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Born Sean Timoney in 1948, Dublin, Ireland, he was brought up on Winetavern Street in The Liberties area of Dublin city, and attended St. Audoen's National School on Cook Street.[1]
In 1961, his family emigrated to New York City, settling in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Northern Manhattan. His father Ciaran passed away in 1966, while John and his younger brother (also named Ciaran) were still attending Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx.[2] In 1967, a month after Timoney's high school graduation, his mother and sister Marie returned to Ireland, while the two brothers remained, sharing an apartment and both working to support themselves. That summer, after scoring a 76 on the civil-service exam (75 was required to pass), Timoney joined the New York Police Department as a police trainee.[3]
Since he was not yet 21, Timoney spent his first 18 months at NYPD assigned to clerical duties in the 17th Precinct, before starting a six-month training program at the police academy in February 1969. He was finally sworn-in as a full-fledged police officer in July 1969, and assigned to the 44th Precinct, in the same Bronx neighborhood as his high school.[4]
During 8 years as a patrol officer in the 44th Precinct, Timoney also earned his bachelor's and master's degrees - from John Jay College and Fordham University respectively, both in American History. For some time, he considered becoming a high school history teacher, but ultimately decided otherwise. In June 1977, the NYPD transferred him to the Narcotics Division of the Organized Crime Control Bureau. Although formally based in the Bronx, the nature of this assignment allowed Timoney to follow cases throughout the city, working on a relatively entrepreneurial basis to penetrate complex drug organizations, assemble cases, and coordinate operations with various patrol precincts, detective squads, and specialized units.[5]
Timoney took the NYPD Sergeant's exam twice, in 1973 and 1978. However, the department was going through a period of overall force reduction. That atmosphere, combined with his relatively brief tenure on the force, lack of veteran's preference points, and middling scores, all converged to delay his promotion until 1980. Once a newly-minted Sergeant, Timoney was assigned to the 32nd Precinct in Central Harlem.[6]
In 1981, Timoney was awarded an NYPD scholarship to pursue a second master's degree (with paid one-year leave of absence), in urban planning at Hunter College. In his 2010 biography, Timoney describes this as a turning point in his career, bringing him into contact with several influential academics (including Donna Shalala) and the entire field of public policy. Although he initially returned to duty as a Sergeant in Harlem's 25th Precinct, only four months later he was reassigned as a research analyst for NYPD Chief of Operations Patrick Murphy, working on the review, revision, and dissemination of operational policies and procedures. During this time, Timoney worked particularly on the issues of high-speed police chases and police use of deadly force. When Murphy was promoted to First Deputy Commissioner in 1984 by incoming Commissioner Ben Ward, Timoney continued to work for the new Chief of Operations, Robert J. Johnson, Jr.[7]
Timoney took the Captain's exam in January 1985, was promoted in the summer of that year, and assigned as the Executive Officer of the 48th Precinct. He did not get along with the Commanding Officer there, but fortunately a quick transfer opportunity brought him to the 17th Precinct (Midtown South), where he had initially worked in his pre-academy days. There he handled several high-profile issues, including a focus on cleaning up quality-of-life crimes in Bryant Park and overseeing security for the 40th anniversary United Nations General Assembly. After ten months as 17th Precinct Executive Officer, he was made Commanding Officer of the 5th Precinct (Chinatown, Little Italy & Lower East Side), which was considered an assignment for high-potential NYPD leaders. In September 1987, Timoney was transferred again - this time to police headquarters, as Commanding Officer of the Chief of Department's Office (under Deputy Chief Tom Walsh).[8]
In 1994 he became the youngest person in NYPD history to be named Chief of Department (the top ranking uniformed/sworn officer, essentially the #3 in command, similar to a large corporate COO). He ultimately served as Commissioner Bill Bratton's First Deputy Commissioner, making him the #2 man in the force. In 1996, Bill Bratton left the department due to conflicts with mayor Rudy Giuliani. Timoney criticized Bratton's replacement, Howard Safir, as a "lightweight," and retired later the same year, having served for a total of 28 years. Afterwards he worked as a consultant to local police forces and various government programs.
In March 1998, Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell appointed Timoney as Philadelphia Police commissioner. Timoney served through the end of 2001. His career marked a turnaround in Philadelphia's increasing homicide rate, but was not without controversy. Many of Timoney's tactics were regarded as questionable, particularly his handling of protests during the 2000 Republican National Convention, which was widely seen as heavy-handed and even unconstitutional, garnering him international attention.
After leaving the Philadelphia police, Timoney returned to consulting and worked for a security firm in New York. He also served as a security adviser for the 2002 World Economic Forum in New York. Although not as heavily protested, his handling of this event also brought him criticism.
Timoney did not stay in the private sector for long. He was a candidate for LAPD chief, but was edged out by his former boss Bill Bratton. Instead, Timoney replaced Raul Martinez, a 28-year veteran of the Miami police force whose two and a half years as chief of police were marked by a scandal inherited from previous police chiefs, with 13 federal indictments of officers accused of planting evidence. Timoney took office on January 2, 2003.
Miami was particularly eager to put Timoney in place because of the upcoming Free Trade Area of the Americas summit. Timoney organized a group of 2,500 police officers from various local, state, and federal jurisdictions. Many believed that Timoney's plan was well organized and prevented a repeat of the lawlessness and chaos that gripped Seattle years earlier during the meetings of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
However, many criticisms about systemic police abuse throughout the days of the protest have been made. A judge presiding over the cases of the free trade protesters, Judge Richard Margolius, said in court that he saw no less than 20 felonies committed by police officers during the November demonstrations, adding to a chorus of complaints about police conduct. Various footage of the protests that took place and alleged police abuse is the subject of many internet videos.[1]
The Miami Police force was backed at the time by $8.5 million in anti-terrorism funds which were funneled by Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld.[2] The conduct of the Miami officers indirectly resulted in the death of one protester, Jordan Matthew Feder. [3]
In August 2007, Timoney became embroiled in a controversy over his use of a Lexus SUV, which an area dealer allowed him to drive without cost, using a Florida dealer plate, for approximately one year.[9]
Immediately upon the swearing-in of Mayor Tomas Regalado in November 2009, Timoney dispatched his resignation letter, effective January 2010.
August 3, 2011 - The Camden County Board of Freeholders announced today their intention to hire John F. Timoney, renowned former Philadelphia Police Commissioner and nationally recognized expert on Public Safety issues, as a consultant to help design and implement the Camden County Police Department, New Jersey. He will work with county and city public safety officials and experts to help write the plan for Camden City to join the countywide force. He will be working with county and city experts, including the Camden County Police Advisory Committee, on analyzing how the structure and organization of the countywide force should work. He will begin the week of August 15, and is being hired on a per diem basis initially, with the option to hire him on a project basis. “We cannot think of anyone better suited to help us with this project,” said Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “His experience, coupled with his knowledge of the area, make him the ideal person to assist us as we create this new entity and help Camden City transition into it.”
Timoney is now Senior Vice President for Business Development and Senior Consultant for Police and Security Matters for Andrews International, a consulting firm with offices throughout the US and the world.
Timoney has been married to his wife, Noreen, since 1971. Although once a director of finance and administration at ABC in New York, when her husband's career blossomed, she became an independent business consultant, in order to devote more time to managing home and family.[10] She currently serves as President of the Miami Women's Club.
John and Noreen have two adult children, Christine and Sean.
His daughter, Christine, is a recovering heroin addict.
On November 1, 2005, his son Sean was arrested in a DEA sting for attempting to buy 400 pounds (180 kg) of marijuana.[11] Facing 40 years imprisonment, he pled guilty to federal charges and received a 18-month sentence, which he is serving at a federal community corrections facility in Miami, with a projected release date of May 9, 2008.
Timoney is an avid runner, who has competed in at least 14 marathons.
| Police appointments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Raul Martinez |
Chief of Miami Police Department 2003–2010 |
Succeeded by Miguel A. Exposito |
| Preceded by Richard Neal |
Commissioner of Philadelphia Police Department 1998–2002 |
Succeeded by Sylvester Johnson |