Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today announced the appointment of David Cohen in the newly-created post of Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence. The Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence will gather, analyze, and distribute intelligence, enabling the NYPD to conduct its increasingly global law enforcement operations more effectively. Deputy Commissioner Cohen joins Deputy Commissioner of Counter-Terrorism Frank Libutti in leading the NYPD's effort against terrorist threats.

"This Administration is committed to ensuring that New York City is ready to confront public safety threats of all kinds," Mayor Bloomberg said. "Gathering and analyzing intelligence information is vital to the City's security and ability to confront all threats. David Cohen has spent a lifetime researching, assessing, and tackling intelligence and security issues and I am confident that he will build upon his accomplishments while serving with New York's Finest."

"For 35 years, David Cohen helped lead the American intelligence efforts around the world," Commissioner Kelly said. "In joining the NYPD, he provides a distinguished record of achievement in the field of security and the vision and ability to anticipate and prevent threats from materializing. David has a strong reputation for forging ties and working effectively with other government agencies, foreign governments, and the private sector, and his drawing upon those strengths and contacts will greatly benefit the City as he directs the Police Department's intelligence efforts."

"I am very honored to lead the NYPD's intelligence operation," Cohen said. "The Mayor and Commissioner have proven that they are serious about securing the safety of all New Yorkers and I share their commitment wholeheartedly. New Yorkers face a great challenge in ensuring public safety and combating threats, but their strong resolve and ability to work together will allow the City to achieve its goals. I am excited to bring my skills and knowledge to help the Police Department accomplish its objectives and I look forward to working with all those committed to the City's safety and welfare."

Prior to his appointment, Cohen was at American International Group, a global financial services firm where he had served since November 2000. He spent 35 years with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) before joining the firm. During his career at the CIA, Cohen guided the agency's operations and analysis functions. He also served as the senior CIA official in the New York area.

From 1995 to 1997, Cohen directed the CIA's Directorate of Operations, where he oversaw the agency's worldwide operations, managed the CIA's global network of offices and personnel, and maintained agency relationships with foreign intelligence and security services. From 1991 to 1995, Cohen was deputy director of the CIA's Directorate of Intelligence, where he guided the agency's analysis program, which reviewed every political, economic, and military assessment prepared by the CIA for the President and his senior national security advisors. Cohen's career at the CIA was marked by his leadership in combating global terrorism, international organized crime, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Cohen received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern University in 1963 and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Boston University in 1965.