Mayor Kathy Sheehan Swears-In Brendan J. Cox as Albany Police Chief

ALBANY, NY - Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan swore in Brendan J. Cox as the Albany Police Department's 26th Chief of Police earlier today during a ceremony at Albany City Hall. A 23-year veteran of the Albany Police Department, Cox previously served as Assistant Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police under former Chief Steven Krokoff, and as Chief of Police from 2015 until 2017.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, "Brendan Cox is a tested leader who is highly respected in the community and comes with the credentials to lead our law enforcement department once again. Under his leadership, Chief Cox built a team that was dedicated to enhancing public safety, increasing public engagement, and developing models that not only addressed the root causes of crime but built stronger communities in Albany. I have the utmost confidence in his leadership and his continuation of proven work in public safety and am so appreciative of Chief Cox's commitment to public service and his willingness to return for our residents and the members of the Albany Police Department."

Police Chief Brendan Cox said, "I am so honored and humbled to once again lead the members of the Albany Police Department and am very appreciative to Mayor Sheehan for this opportunity. As someone who has served more than 23 years in this department, I know for a fact the members of the Albany Police Department are second-to-none. I am committed to doing everything in our power to enhance public safety, further reduce crime, and ensure our residents and visitors feel safe, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and the community once again to keep our city safe."

Chief Cox was born and raised in Albany and has served nearly entire career in the Albany Police Department, moving up police ranks since he first became an Albany police officer in 1994. Throughout his career, Chief Cox had overseen APD's Special Operations, its Children's and Family Services Unit, and its Detective Division. He also has served as the APD representative on the Albany Community Police Advisory Committee. Chief Cox was instrumental in the City of Albany becoming the third city in the United States to implement the LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion). After retiring as Chief of Police in 2017, Chief Cox later joined the LEAD Support Bureau to help expand the program's presence in cities across the nation.

Chief Cox's leadership and dedication to community policing and engagement was recognized by the United States Department of Justice Office of COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) and resulted in the Albany Police Department's selection as one of 15 departments nationwide to participate in the "Advancing 21st Century Policing" initiative.

Chief Cox will serve as the Chief of the Albany Police Department in an interim capacity. Given the impending mayoral transition that will occur in 2026 and that the Chief of Police serves at the pleasure of the Mayor, Mayor Sheehan selected Chief Cox to serve in this capacity for approximately one year because of the Chief's familiarity with the department and ability to quickly lead the department through this transitional period.

Kelly Kimbrough, President Pro Tempore of the Albany Common Council, said "On behalf of the Albany Common Council, I welcome Chief Brendan Cox back to the Albany Police Department. His return reflects his unwavering dedication to public service and our community's safety. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chief Cox's family for their support and sacrifice, which enables him to continue this important work. Together, we look forward to building on Albany's strong tradition of community policing and public engagement under his proven leadership."

Ginnie Farrell, Majority Leader of the Albany Common Council said, "We are fortunate to have Brendan Cox return to leadership in the Albany Police Department. Chief Cox had a long career serving Albany with a focus on public safety, enhancing community, and connecting people and I look forward to him utilizing his experience while bringing forth new ideas to enhance public safety. I commend Mayor Sheehan in appointing Chief Cox and look forward to his leadership and hard work to focus on keeping Albany safe."

Tom Hoey, Albany Common Council Public Safety Committee Chair and 15th Ward Councilmember said, "I had the pleasure of meeting Brendan Cox when I first became the Public Safety Chair for the Common Council at conference at UAlbany. It was clear from even our first interaction Brendan has a wealth of knowledge and experience, both from being a member of the Albany Police Department for 23 years and his work with the national LEAD program. Chief Cox has a strong background in community policing and hot-spot policing strategies, and while we need federal legislation to truly end the surge of guns in our community, I am confident his solutions-oriented approach will help us enhance public safety and make people feel safer."

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