Notable Alumni of John Jay College of Criminal Justice
John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a senior college of the City University of New York (CUNY), has a long history of producing distinguished graduates in various fields. From its early days as the College of Police Science to its current status as a leading institution in criminal justice education, John Jay has shaped the careers of numerous individuals who have made significant contributions to society. This article highlights some of the college's most notable alumni, showcasing their diverse achievements and lasting impact.
Origins and Evolution of John Jay College
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice was established in 1964, initially known as the College of Police Science of The City University of New York. The establishment of an independent, degree-granting school of police science was recommended by a committee convened by the Board of Higher Education. The College of Police Science (COPS) of the City University of New York was subsequently founded and admitted its first class in September 1965. In 1967, the school was renamed John Jay College of Criminal Justice to reflect broader education objectives. The school's namesake, John Jay (1745-1829), was the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court and a Founding Father of the United States.
Classes were originally held at the Police Academy on East 20th Street. Leonard E. In the spring of 1970, after President Nixon announced that the Cambodian Campaign would be extended, the college held two "heated" teach-ins about the conflict. Many other college campuses were home to student strikes across the nation. On May 7, 1970, the faculty voted 52-39 in favor of closing the college in protest of President Nixon's handling of the Vietnam War and the killing of students by National Guardsmen at Kent State University and Jackson State College. But the closing of John Jay College would ultimately be up to its students, the faculty decided.
Prominent Alumni in Politics and Public Service
Many John Jay College alumni have excelled in the realm of politics and public service, holding significant positions at the city, state, and national levels.
Eric Leroy Adams is an American politician and former police officer who has served as the 110th mayor of New York City since 2022. Adams was an officer in the New York City Transit Police and then the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for more than 20 years, retiring at the rank of captain. He served in the New York State Senate from 2006 to 2013, representing the 20th district in Brooklyn. In 2013, Adams was elected Brooklyn Borough President, the first Black American to hold the position, and re-elected in 2017.
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James Patrick "Jimmy" O'Neill Jr. is an American police officer who served as the 43rd Police Commissioner of New York City from September 2016 until November 2019. Prior to his appointment as Police Commissioner, O'Neill served as NYPD's Chief of Department, the highest uniformed position in the department, in 2014-2016.
Scott M. Stringer is an American politician who served as the 44th New York City Comptroller. A Democrat, Stringer also previously served as a New York State Assemblyman, and as the 26th borough president of Manhattan.
Catalina Cruz is a Colombian-American attorney from the borough of Queens in New York City. A member of the Democratic Party and former undocumented immigrant minor (DREAMer), Cruz has worked as an advocate for immigration rights, including as Director of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2016 Exploited Task Force. Cruz was elected as the Democratic candidate in the Fall 2018 election for the 39th district of the New York State Assembly, representing Corona, Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights, Queens. She enrolled in the CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice 2001-2005 graduated with bachelor's degree in forensic psychology.
Lovely Ann Warren is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 69th mayor of Rochester, New York, from 2014 until her resignation in 2021. She was previously the President of the Rochester City Council. She was the first woman to serve as mayor of Rochester, as well as the second African-American after William A. Johnson Jr.
Marcos A. Crespo is a former Democratic member of the New York State Assembly representing the 85th Assembly District, which includes the Soundview, Clason Point, Longwood, and Hunts Point sections of the South Bronx.
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Victor Manuel Torres Jr. is a Democratic member of the Florida Senate who has represented the 25th district, encompassing Osceola County and southern Orange County, since 2022. Previously, he served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives, representing parts of Orlando in Orange County from 2012 to 2016.
Frederick K. Heineman was a Congressman from North Carolina, serving in the 104th United States Congress from 1995 to 1997.
Larry B. Seabrook is a former New York City Councilman from District 12 in New York City which covers the Co-op City, Williamsbridge, Wakefield, Edenwald, Baychester, and Eastchester sections of the Northeast Bronx, from 2002 until 2012.
Karl A. Brabenec is the New York State Assemblyman from the 98th District. A Republican, he has served in the Assembly since 2014, when he won a special election. The 98th District contains portions of Orange and Rockland Counties in the Hudson Valley. In January 2023, Brabenec ascended to the role of Assembly Minority Whip after previously serving as the Deputy Minority Whip since 2019.
Alton Ronald Waldon Jr. was an American politician and jurist from New York who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1986 to 1987 in addition to stints in the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 1986 and New York State Senate from 1991 to 2000, as a member of the Democratic Party.
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Michael W. Reilly Jr. is a member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 62nd district since 2019. He is a Republican. The district includes portions of the South shore of Staten Island. Reilly formerly served in the United States Army Reserve and was an officer with the New York City Police Department. He previously served as the president of the Community Education Council (CEC) for District 31, which includes all of Staten Island. He has a BS in Legal Studies from John Jay College. He resides in Eltingville with his wife and family.
John Cortes is a Democratic politician from Florida. He served three terms in the Florida House of Representatives from 2014 to 2020, representing northern Osceola County including Buenaventura Lakes, Campbell, Kissimmee, and Poinciana.
Elvin G. Nimrod was a politician from the island of Carriacou. He served in the House of Representatives of Grenada as Parliamentary Representative for Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and has in the past served as Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Legal Affairs, Labour, Local Government, Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Attorney General.
Notable Figures in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Given John Jay College's focus on criminal justice, it is not surprising that many of its alumni have risen to prominence in law enforcement and related fields.
James E. Leonard is a former fire Chief of Department who was relieved of duty for alleged misconduct from the New York City Fire Department. James E. Leonard Graduated with Master of Science in fire protection management.
Salvatore Joseph "Sal" Cassano served as the 32nd New York City Fire Commissioner from 2010 to 2014.
Benjamin B. Tucker is an American police officer and administrator who was appointed First Deputy New York City Police Commissioner on Nov. 5, 2014, in a ceremony at 1 Police Plaza in New York City. Commissioner Tucker is the NYPD's 43rd first deputy commissioner. He later retired from the New York Police Department in December 2021.
Ariel Rios was an undercover special agent for the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), killed in the line of duty. He was a member of the Presidential anti-drug task force in South Florida.
Jack Caulfield was an American security operative and law enforcement officer. He was a member of the Richard Nixon administration around the time of the Watergate Scandal, though he avoided prosecution.
Contributions to the Arts and Entertainment Industry
John Jay College's influence extends beyond the realms of politics and law enforcement, with several alumni making their mark in the arts and entertainment industry.
Pauley Perrette is an American former actress and singer. She played Abby Sciuto in the television series NCIS from 2003 to 2018.
Jimmy Iovine is an American entrepreneur, former record executive, and media proprietor. He is best known as the co-founder of Interscope Records and became chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M, an umbrella music unit formed by Universal Music Group in 1999.
Adam Saleh is an American YouTuber.
Other Notable Alumni
Henry Chang-Yu Lee is a Taiwanese and American forensic scientist. Enrolled in the CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice 1968-1972 graduated with Bachelor of Science.
Dennis Michael Lynch better known to friends and fans as "DML", is an American businessman, documentary film maker, podcast host and news personality. Currently, he is the founder and CEO of TeamDML Inc, a company specializing in the distribution of news programming, podcasts and digital films. He is also the founder of TeamDML.com, an online membership-based service for people who wish to watch his daily podcast about politics and news. Lynch is also the co-owner of a CBD brand that bears his name, DML CBD.
Carmen R. Velasquez is a Supreme Court Justice serving in the 11th district of the State of New York since January 2015. She has also served as judge for the New York City Civil Court of Queens County previously to her election. Velasquez is the first Ecuadorian to serve as judge for the Civil Court and Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Vicki Shiran was an Israeli criminologist, sociologist, poet, film director, media personality and activist. She was a leader of a movement promoting Mizrahi Jewish consciousness in Israel. She was an advocate of equal rights and played a key role in the fight for the advancement of Mizrahim (Jews who originate from Arab or Muslim countries). She was among the founders of The Mizrahi Democratic Coalition and the Feminist group Achoti, and is considered one of the founding mothers of the Mizrahi feminist movement.
John Jay College Hall of Fame
The John Jay College Department of Athletics Hall of Fame began in 1993 with the induction of its first three members. Since that first ceremony, 33 of John Jay's most decorated athletes, teams, celebrated coaches, and valued supporters have been enshrined in recognition of their accomplishments. John Jay College teams that have distinguished themselves both on and off the field during a specific season may be inducted. At least five (5) years must have passed since the season under consideration.
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