Mayor Adams Appoints Chauncey Parker as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety

October 15, 2024

Mona Suazo Will Serve as Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety   

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced two new appointments that will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. First, Mayor Adams appointed Chauncey Parker, a nearly 40-year veteran of law enforcement, as deputy mayor for public safety, effective immediately. Additionally, Mayor Adams announced the appointment of Mona Suazo as assistant deputy mayor for public safety. As deputy mayor, Parker will be tasked with coordinating across all city agencies on public safety matters as he delivers on Mayor Adams’ vision of keeping New York the safest big city in America. Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, the five boroughs continue to see reductions in crime, with September marking the ninth straight month in a row where overall crime decreased.   

“Public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity, and I can think of no one better to help lead our efforts to keep New Yorkers safe than Chauncey Parker,” said Mayor Adams. “Chauncey is a lifelong public servant who has spent his career working at the city, state, and federal levels building bridges between law enforcement and communities across the state. We are safer, stronger, and better connected thanks to Chauncey’s service to our city, and I am thrilled to have him and Mona Suazo take the lead on our administration’s public safety portfolio through the next successful chapter.”   

“In my almost 40 years of public service, the most important thing I have learned is the power of partnerships. No matter what challenge we face, we are always stronger and better when we work together,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker. “I am grateful to Mayor Adams for this opportunity to continuing building on this administration’s progress and creating new government and community partnerships for every public safety responsibility we face — youth crime, subway crime, retail theft, drug overdoses, quality of life concerns, and more.”   

“I am grateful to Mayor Adams for this extraordinary opportunity to contribute to our administration’s progress in strengthening public safety partnerships across New York City,” said Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Mona Suazo. “With nearly 19 years of public service, I am committed to continuing this vital work and fostering the kind of collaboration that strengthens our communities.”  

About Chauncey Parker   

Chauncey Parker has dedicated his career to keeping New Yorkers safe at multiple levels of government. Since July, Parker has served as assistant deputy mayor for public safety, where he has focused on gun violence prevention, strategies to divert young people from the criminal justice system, and multi-agency and community partnerships to drive down crime and improve quality of life.  

Immediately prior, Parker served as deputy commissioner for collaborative policing for the New York City Police Department (NYPD), where he fostered shared responsibility for public safety through productive partnerships with individuals, government agencies, and community-based organizations.

Since 1995, Parker has also served as the executive director of the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program that invests in federal, state, and local partnerships to build safe and healthy communities. During this time, Parker has additionally served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York, an executive assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and as director of criminal justice and commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.    

He is a graduate of Rollins College and Duke University School of Law.   

Parker will report directly to Mayor Adams.   

About Mona Suazo   

Mona Suazo has devoted nearly 19 years to the NYPD, exemplifying a steadfast commitment to public safety. She began her career in the 67th Police Precinct and was later designated the department’s citywide immigrant women liaison, where she connected New York’s diverse immigrant population with essential services. In 2016, Suazo became an investigator and law enforcement certifier of T-Visa Certificate for victims of human trafficking, collaborating closely with survivors, advocates, and City Hall.     

For the past two and a half years, Suazo has served as deputy chief of staff in the Office for Public Safety, helping to foster collaboration and breaking down silos across public safety agencies.  

She is a graduate of Cairo University.  

Suazo will report to Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Parker. 

“Kudos to Mayor Adams on his selection of Chauncey Parker as his new deputy mayor for public safety,” said Bill Bratton, former commissioner, New York City Police Department. “He is the consummate leader; brilliant, inspirational, creative, and collaborative, who is much admired and respected in the New York law enforcement community for his integrity and passion for public service. Over the last several years, he has been instrumental in reducing the city’s gun-related violence. He will serve the city well in his new expanded assignment and responsibilities.”   

“New York City is blessed to have Chauncey Parker serve as a senior representative of the Adams administration,” said Lloyd Williams, CEO, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. “Chauncey is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers — of all races and religion. We are proud of the mayor for making this appointment.” 

“Chauncey is a man of great moral character and an excellent choice for deputy mayor for public safety,” said Devorah Halberstam, co-founder, Jewish Children's Museum, and gun safety advocate. “I have had the privilege of working with him to protect New Yorkers from threats ranging from terrorism and drug trafficking, as well as to developing a continuing legal education course for prosecutors across New York state. New Yorkers are lucky to have Chauncey in this significant position, where he will continue to champion and develop policies that will improve people's lives.” 

“A huge congratulations to Mona Suazo for being appointed as assistant deputy mayor; her leadership qualities, dedication to community, and law enforcement experience makes her the perfect choice,” said Wilma Alonso, president and CEO, Fordham Road BID. “Her commitment to the public safety of every New Yorker has not gone unnoticed, and the Fordham Road BID is looking forward to working more closely with her in her new capacity that is so well deserved."

“Chauncey is a champion for New York City and our children. He’s been a long-time partner to the Police Athletic League, and we are better because of his continued collaboration and support. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how he has worked to ensure young people are safe and have the opportunity to become leaders in this city – regardless of where they are or where they come from,” said Carlos Velazquez, executive director, Police Athletic League. “Whether it’s helping to expand ‘Saturday Night Lights’ from a few locations to more than 150 sites across the city or helping to bring Washington Heights its first baseball center, Chauncey has a long history of seeing a need and then meeting it. He is an exemplary public servant and will serve the city well in this role.” 

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