John Timoney (police officer)

John F. Timoney (born c. 1948) is the current (as of 2006) Chief of Police of Miami. On June 19, 2007 he was elected to head the Police Executive Research Forum for a period of two years, replacing LA Police Chief William Bratton.

Early life

Timoney was born Sean Timoney in Dublin, Ireland. In 1961, at the age of 13, he immigrated to New York City. Timoney grew up in Washington Heights, a heavily Irish neighborhood in uptown Manhattan which had been home to such Irish-Americans as George Carlin. Upon graduating from high school, Timoney joined the New York Police Department.

New York

Starting as a patrol officer, Timoney rapidly rose through the ranks of the NYPD. He became a narcotics specialist, and was promoted to sergeant in 1980. In 1994 he was appointed Chief of Department, the youngest ever to fill that role. He ultimately served as Commissioner Bill Bratton's first deputy, 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.

Philadelphia

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.

Miami

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 [http://youtube.com/results?search_query=ftaa+miami&search footage of the protests that took place and alleged police abuse is the subject of many internet videos.

Other details

Timoney is an avid runner, who has competed in at least 14 marathons. Although he joined the NYPD straight out of high school, he has since earned a bachelor's degree from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a master's degree in American history from Fordham University, a master's degree in urban planning from Hunter College, and is a graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University.

Recent controversies

On November 1, 2005, Timoney's son Sean Timoney was arrested in a DEA sting for attempting to buy 400 pounds of marijuana . Timoney has not commented on the case, which is ongoing.

As of August 2007, Chief Timoney became embroiled in a controversy over his use of a Lexus SUV. CBS 4 from Miami revealed that a Lexus that Chief Timoney used for about one year was leased. The City of Miami gives the Chief an $8,000 car allowance. The CBS 4 investigation revealed that Chief Timoney may have violated ethics rules. Chief Timoney initially denied leasing the car however, according to CBS 4,Chief Timoney provided a different account once CBS 4 revealed the circumstances of their investigation. Chief Timoney then purchased the Lexus but the details were not readily available.

Fraternal Order of Police from Miami are expected to give Chief Timoney a "No Confidence" vote citing the tough discipline the Chief used when regulating the rank and file for much less offenses. The FOP also complained of a Deputy Chief under Chief Timoney’s command and a chaotic atmosphere that both attrition and strict rules implemented by the Deputy have created.

Local media and others in Law Enforecement are refusing to allow Timoney's sweetheart deal with Lexus of Kendall to diedown, insisting that his actions are reprehensible.

Timoney has since dispatched his staff to various rollcalls to dispel rumours concerning his use of the car.

In pop culture

John Timoney and his controversial tactics are the subject of the David Rovics song "Butcher for Hire." In the chorus Rovics calls Timoney a "brutal thug and a dirty liar."

Further reading

• Walsh, Elsa. "Miami Blue". The New Yorker, 5 March 2007, pp. 46-53.

External link

• John Timoney at IMDb