The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, has appointed Chauncey Parker as the new Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, effective immediately.

Parker, a seasoned law enforcement professional with nearly 40 years of experience, will work alongside newly appointed Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Mona Suazo, to further Mayor Adams’ vision of making New York the safest big city in America.

As Deputy Mayor, Parker will be responsible for coordinating public safety efforts across all city agencies. This appointment comes at a time when crime rates in the five boroughs are on a downward trend, with September marking the ninth consecutive month of overall crime reduction.

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“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,” Mayor Adams stated. “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 his acceptance, Deputy Mayor Parker emphasized the importance of collaboration in public safety efforts: “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. I am grateful to Mayor Adams for this opportunity to continue 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.”

Mayor Adams expressed his excitement over Parker’s promotion, stating, “Chauncey is a nearly 40-year veteran of law enforcement, who has spent his career working at the city, state, and federal levels, building bridges between law enforcement and communities across the state. I know he will help us deliver a safer city by working across all our enforcement agencies to protect New Yorkers.”

Assistant Deputy Mayor Suazo also shared her commitment to public safety: “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. 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 enhancing public safety at multiple government levels. Prior to his new role, Parker served as Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, focusing on initiatives such as gun violence prevention and community partnerships. He previously held the position of Deputy Commissioner for Collaborative Policing at the NYPD, where he built responsibility-sharing frameworks between law enforcement and community organizations. Parker has also been involved in various capacities, including serving as an executive director of a federal drug trafficking program and as an assistant U.S. attorney. A graduate of Rollins College and Duke University School of Law, Parker will report directly to Mayor Adams.

About Mona Suazo

Mona Suazo brings nearly 19 years of experience with the NYPD, where she has demonstrated unwavering commitment to public safety. She began her career in the 67th Police Precinct and later served as the department’s citywide immigrant women liaison. Suazo has worked extensively with survivors of human trafficking and has spent the last two and a half years as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office for Public Safety. A graduate of Cairo University, Suazo will report to Deputy Mayor Parker.

Prominent figures in the community have praised the appointments. Bill Bratton, former NYPD Commissioner, remarked, “Kudos to Mayor Adams on his selection of Chauncey Parker as his new deputy mayor for public safety. He is the consummate leader; brilliant, inspirational, creative, and collaborative.” Lloyd Williams, CEO of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Parker’s dedication to improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Devorah Halberstam, co-founder of the Jewish Children’s Museum, lauded Parker’s character and commitment to public service, stating, “New Yorkers are lucky to have Chauncey in this significant position.” Meanwhile, Wilma Alonso, president of Fordham Road BID, congratulated Suazo on her appointment, noting her dedication to community safety.

Carlos Velazquez, executive director of the Police Athletic League, praised Parker for his long-standing commitment to youth safety and community engagement, stating, “He is an exemplary public servant and will serve the city well in this role.”

With these strategic appointments, Mayor Adams aims to enhance public safety and foster a collaborative environment that addresses the evolving challenges facing New York City.