Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn today announced the appointment of Richard J. Condon as Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City school system. The Special Commissioner investigates criminal activity, unethical conduct, conflicts of interest, and other wrongdoing occurring within the City's schools. Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Gill Hearn announced the appointment in the Blue Room at City Hall.

"As we assume responsibility for the City's schools, we seek to ensure that the environment in which our children learn is free of corruption and criminal or unethical conduct," Mayor Bloomberg said. "I am proud to introduce Richard J. Condon as Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City school system. Richard possesses the broad investigative experience, personal integrity, and independence necessary for this post, and I am confident that he will vigorously promote the integrity of our City's school system."

"We at DOI look forward to working with Dick Condon," Commissioner Gill Hearn said. "He brings such tremendous experience to this important position."

"I want to thank Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn for giving me the opportunity to once again work in government at a very important time and in a critical position," Condon said.

The Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation was created in June 1990 in response to growing public concern about corruption and misconduct in the New York City School District and was given a mandate to investigate criminal activity, unethical conduct, conflicts of interest, and other wrongdoing occurring within the school system. The Special Commissioner's Office is part of the City's Department of Investigation and is independent of the Board of Education and the Chancellor. Over the years, the Office of the Special Commissioner has conducted criminal investigations and has made recommendations concerning issues that have had an impact on the integrity of the City's schools.

Condon is currently the Police Commissioner's Representative on the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board. Condon served as New York City Police Commissioner in 1989 and 1990. From 1990 to 2001, he was Director of Administrative Services and Worldwide Security for Paine Webber. He has also served as First Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD,

Commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and Executive Deputy Director of Criminal Justice Services, Deputy Coordinator of Criminal Justice, and Director of Investigation in the Office of Special Prosecutor in the NYPD. Condon, who served as a New York City Police Officer from 1957 to 1976, earned an MA in Criminal Justice at John Jay College and a BA at Pace University in 1965.