1) Former Captain, Commanding Officer, Operations Commander and Counterterrorism Trainer, New York City Police Department
2) Former Police Commissioner, City of Mount Vernon, New York Police Department
3) Current Police Expert Witness and Consultant, Equalizer Private Investigations, New York City
Industry: Government/Public Service
Field: Law Enforcement and Investigative Services

“People need to be treated with dignity and respect,” proclaims Gerald E. Mines, who has served the City of New York diligently for the past 43 years. He believes in exhibiting courtesy, professionalism and respect when doing his job, a value that has made him highly successful and respected. Mr. Mines is a former captain, commanding officer, operations commander and counterterrorism trainer for the New York City Police Department and a former police commissioner for the City of Mount Vernon, New York Police Department. He also gained experience serving with the military police. With a background in youth gang control and criminal and internal investigations of police misconduct, one of his many accomplishments was reducing violent youth gang crime in Brooklyn, N.Y., by 70 percent. In addition, he revamped the NYPD Civilian Complaint Review Board and streamlined the NYPD Medical Division, which encompassed his engineering and implementing a joint citywide medical, police and fire department emergency response plan. This has saved New York City more than $3 million annually.

Mr. Mines has gained exceptional skills over the years, which he applies to his most current position with Equalizer Private Investigations. Serving as a police expert witness and consultant, he investigates complaints from attorneys or individuals against municipalities, prepares documentation regarding his findings and recommendations, and provides court testimony to refute or confirm the legitimacy of the complaints. Mr. Mines is equipped with a wealth of knowledge, acquired not only through experience, but also through his academic pursuits. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, graduating magna cum laude, and a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership and management from New England College School of Graduate and Professional Studies, graduating summa cum laude.

In appreciation for his many contributions to the City of New York, Mr. Mines  was recently inducted into Worldwide Who’s Who as a lifetime member and was given the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award in his field for 2012. In addition, he was given a number of honors by the NYPD and other law enforcement groups. They include the Police Exceptional Merit Award, Police Commendation Award, Police Community Service Commendation Award, two Meritorious Police Duty Awards, six Excellent Police Duty Awards, a Unit Citation Award, World Trade Center Service Award, Police Self-Support Group Humanitarian Award, Operation Sail Award, Centennial Award, and the Pistol and Rifle Expert Award.

Furthermore, Mr. Mines has been honored by the New York State Shields, of which he is a former president, with the Distinguished Service Award. He is also a former president of the NYPD Shomrim Society, and was given the New York City TLC Columbia Association Man of the Year Award.

Mr. Mines is a Major General and Commander of the 2nd Corps of the United States Disaster Relief Command and a member of several professional law enforcement organizations, including the American Academy of Professional Law Enforcement, International Association of Chiefs of Police, ASIS International, the Association of Legal/Medical and Investigative Experts, and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Alumni Association. He is a second vice president of the New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100 and a delegate for the NYPD Honor Legion, New York/New Jersey Crime Clinic, New York City Police Reserve Association, Nassau County Police Reserve Association and National Police Defense Foundation. Looking ahead, Mr. Mines hopes to advance to the position of police chief or become a police commissioner, police director, or police chief in another city.

Conversation with Gerald E. Mines

Worldwide Publishing: On what topic(s) do you consider yourself to be an expert?

Gerald E. Mines: Controlling youth gangs, counterterrorism, crisis intervention counseling for police officers and their families, and hostage negotiations.

What characteristics help to separate you from others in your field?

My dedication, knowledge, compassion, empathy and ability to get along with others better than most.

What motivates you?

Trying to help people motivates me. I came up from a life that wasn’t so easy so I want to make other people’s lives safe.

What short-term and long-term career goals are you currently pursuing?

I am trying to obtain a police chief, police commissioner or police director position.

What is the most difficult obstacle or challenge you have faced in pursuit of your goals?

Coming from New York City has been the most recent obstacle. In the past, the examination process has been difficult. When I have applied for police leadership positions through supposed national searches, they have proven to be a farce, because in fact the municipalities had no intention of really utilizing a national search and only wanted to consider local candidates.

What is the most significant issue facing your profession today?

Corruption, maintaining integrity, and obtaining funding for personnel and equipment.

What is your favorite or least favorite work-related task to do and why?

My favorite work-related tasks are providing counterterrorism training for my officers, community policing techniques, crisis intervention counseling for officers and their families, commanding the NYPD Medical Division, and currently being a police expert witness and consultant. My least favorite task was waiting around for hours doing nothing until dignitaries arrived to visit our city.

Who have been your mentors or people who have greatly influenced you?

My last borough commander, my police academy instructor and my uncle who was a police officer all served as mentors to me.

Do you do any public speaking?

Yes, I have enjoyed speaking in front of large groups as a president of two police organizations as well as counseling groups of officers about early intervention procedures and suicide prevention.

What changes have you observed in your industry/field since you started?

Improved technology is the biggest change. The lack of funding for personnel and equipment is another, as well as consolidation of law enforcement agencies.

How do you see these changes affecting the future of your industry?

I envision that improved technology and reduced financial resources will require law enforcement agencies to accomplish more with less and utilize COMPSTAT and other techniques in reducing and identifying crime trends.

What lessons have you learned as a professional in your field?

I have learned that for a professional police department to be successful in gaining respect and reducing crime, it requires the cooperation and sharing of information with the community and its leaders and a willingness to really listen to the concerns of the community.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

The most rewarding aspect of my profession has been being able to help people in distress, protect them from terroristic acts, and satisfy the public’s need to feel safe and secure in their homes, streets and places of employment and recreation.

What advice can you offer fellow members or others aspiring to work in your industry?

I would advise them to obtain advanced education degrees and be diligent and very selective in determining what jurisdiction they would like to work in.