NYPD Commissioner Sewell Announces Retirements of Four NYPD Executives

December 1, 2022

Longtime Agency Leaders End Decades of Service

Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell today announced the retirement of three veteran New York City Police Department chiefs and a civilian deputy commissioner who have made lasting contributions in their critical roles and across their careers.

The four leaders are retiring from jobs managing some of the department’s most important functions, including protecting the city’s subways and public housing areas and overseeing the NYPD’s elite Special Operations Division.

The three retiring chiefs are Chief of Transit Jason K. Wilcox; Chief of Housing Kathleen M. O’Reilly; and Chief of Special Operations Harry Wedin. Additionally, Robert S. Martinez, the department’s Deputy Commissioner of Support Services is retiring.

“Kathy O’Reilly, Harry Wedin, Jason Wilcox, and Bob Martinez are dedicated public servants. Collectively, these executives devoted nearly a century-and-a-half of service to the NYPD and the people of New York City and we owe them a debt gratitude for their tireless contributions,” said Commissioner Sewell. “It was a privilege to serve alongside each of them, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”

Chief Wilcox joined the NYPD in April 1987 and began his career on patrol in the 44 Precinct in the Bronx, where he later rose to become the borough’s detective commander – its chief investigator. He also served as Commanding Officer of the Detective Bureau Central Robbery Division, the 33 Precinct, and Transit Borough Manhattan.

Chief Wilcox said he would look back on his career with pride.

“From my earlier years working in the NYPD’s Transit Bureau, I always dreamed of one day running it,” said Chief Wilcox. “The opportunity to now retire from this great police department, as its Chief of Transit, is an honor I will cherish in all the days ahead.”

Chief O’Reilly began her policing career in 1991, when she became an officer in the former New York City Housing Police Department. She rose through the ranks and served in several important leadership positions in the NYPD, including as Chief of Transit and Chief of Patrol. Like Chief Wilcox, her most recent assignment as Chief of Housing has brought her NYPD career full circle.

“It has been an honor to be a New York City Police officer,” said Chief O’Reilly. “Now, as I leave the department, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every member of the NYPD for their tireless work and professionalism every day and night – and I say thank you to all of you.”

Chief Wedin has served nearly 42 years in the NYPD – joining the department in January 1981 and starting his career on patrol in the 67 Precinct in Brooklyn. After serving as the Commanding Officer of the department’s Operations Division, as well as leading the 67 and 72 precincts, Chief Wedin ascended to Chief of Special Operations, an integral assignment leading a division that serves the rest of the NYPD – and the city’s citizens – with elite units such as the Aviation, Mounted, and Emergency Service units.

Chief Wedin said he would always reflect on the bravery of his fellow officers – in innumerable, everyday encounters with New Yorkers and in the memorable rescue jobs he took part in and led.

“When I think back on the arc of my career, I think of the people we helped, the New Yorkers we were so privileged to serve,” said Chief Wedin. “I take pride in having worked alongside a group of people – New York City police officers – who so bravely and selflessly devote their lives to their fellow human beings. I know firsthand that there are none better.”

Deputy Commissioner Martinez joined the NYPD in June 1986, as an auto service worker in the Fleet Services Division, and rose to the highest level of that integral bureau. Transformative changes in transportation occurred during his more than 36-year tenure and Commissioner Martinez embraced the evolution to such things as the increase of hybrid and electric models of vehicles, reductions in departmental fuel consumption, and the advent of new technologies such as low-frequency sirens and more visible lights on marked patrol cars.

“I rose through the ranks with a clear-eyed vision for making our fleet safer – for our cops and for the communities they serve,” said Commissioner Martinez. “As the longtime leader, and steward, of this bureau, I’m proud to be handing off an even stronger bureau to those NYPD leaders who follow me.”

The retirements will be effective on December 30.

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