Louis Molina

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Louis A. Molina
Commissioner of the
New York City Department of Correction
In office
January 1, 2022 – December 8, 2023
MayorEric Adams
Preceded byVincent Schiraldi
Succeeded byLynelle Maginley-Liddie
5th Chief of the Las Vegas
Department of Public Safety
In office
January 11, 2021 – December 23, 2021
MayorCarolyn Goodman
City ManagerJorge Cervantes
Preceded byMichele Freeman
Succeeded byJason Potts
First Deputy Commissioner of the
Westchester County Department of Correction
In office
March 2018 – December 12, 2020
County ExecutiveGeorge Latimer
Preceded byposition established
Succeeded byNory Padilla
Personal details
Born
Louis Anthony Molina

(1972-04-24) April 24, 1972 (age 52)
New York, New York, U.S.
SpouseShannon Molina (2001-present)
Residence(s)New York, New York, U.S.
EducationHarvard Business School (GMP)
Marist College (MPA)
Columbia University (MA)
Chaminade University (BA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service1991 - 1995
Rank Corporal
Unit2nd Battalion - 3rd Marines

Louis A. Molina (born April 24, 1972) is an American police officer and Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety for the City of New York.[1][2] He was the 37th Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction.[3][4] He was formerly the Chief of the Department of Public Safety for the City of Las Vegas and detective with the New York Police Department.[5]

Early life and education[edit]

Molina was born in New York City in 1972 and grew up in Bronx, New York.  He attended Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, later graduating from Christopher Columbus High School, graduating in 1991.  From there, he served in the United States Marine Corps (1991–1995).  He attended Chaminade University of Honolulu, graduating in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy.  In 2011, Molina graduated from Marist College School of Management with a master's in public administration and while studying at Marist was awarded a partial scholarship to study at Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences graduating in 2012 with a master's of arts in human rights studies, and in 2020 received a partial scholarship from Harvard Business School Fund for Leadership & Innovation and completed the Harvard Business School General Management Program.

Career[edit]

Molina began his career as a patrol officer in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighborhood with the New York City Police Department's 19th Precinct in 2000 after graduation from their training academy.  He rose to the rank of detective in the New York Police Department and also served as president of the National Latino Officers Association.[6]

Kings County District Attorney's Office[edit]

The late Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson initially appointed Molina in 2014 as Director of Training for the Office's Detective Investigations Bureau and within a few months was promoted to Deputy Chief Investigator.[7]

New York City Department of Homeless Services[edit]

In August 2015, Molina was hired by former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Homeless Services as a Senior Advisor for security and emergency operations to address public safety issues in and around the vicinity of homeless shelters. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Steven Banks the Commissioner for the Department of Social Services made the decision to hand over shelter security to the New York City Police Department, despite objections made by Molina.  Molina left the Department of Homeless Services.

New York City Department of Correction[edit]

In August 2016, Molina was appointed as the agency's Chief Internal Monitor in accordance with the Nunez Federal Consent Decree. He later was also appointed and served the dual role of Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Department's Nunez Compliance Unit. After the former commissioner's sudden departure Molina competed for the position of commissioner, but was not selected and left the Department. Molina would later go on to Westchester County Department of Correction and successfully navigate Westchester County DOC release from federal oversight.[8]

New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission[edit]

In June 2017, Molina was appointed First Deputy Chief Enforcement Division by the former New York City Chair of the Taxi & Limousine Commission.

Westchester County Department of Correction[edit]

In March 2018, Molina was appointed First Deputy Commissioner for the Westchester County Department of Correction by Westchester County Executive George Latimer, placing Molina second in command of the largest Law Enforcement agency in Westchester County.  While at Westchester County DOC Molina is credited with enhancing education program services for detainees to include college courses.[9][10] He oversaw the integration of Westchester County Department of Social Service staff to streamline delivery of social service support upon discharge. He led the team that obtained 100% compliance with the 2016 United States Department of Justice settlement agreement, attaining substantial compliance on all the agreement provisions.[8] Westchester County DOC experienced steady declines of Use of Force incidents every year during his tenure with the Department and increased access to justice by working with Legal Aid of Westchester County to open a satellite Legal Aid office inside the jail facility.[11] Molina was recognized by the Criminal Justice Section of the New York State Bar Association with the inaugural Martin B. Adelman Memorial Award for his innovative work and his management of Westchester County DOC during the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]

City of Las Vegas Department of Public Safety[edit]

In January 2021, Molina was appointed Chief of the City of Las Vegas Department of Public Safety, overseeing Deputy City Marshals, City's jail and Animal Control Officers[13]

New York City Corrections Commissioner[edit]

On December 16, 2021, Mayor-Elect Eric Adams appointed Molina, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction. He became the first Latino commissioner of the New York City Corrections Department.[14][15][16][17] Upon his announcement, Adams announced that when taking office he would immediately re-institute solitary confinement.[18] It was also noted during Adams' announcement that one of the primary reasons for his appointment was emotional intelligence, something that future appointments will be assessed on.[19]

Molina's tenure as Commissioner was controversial. He received scrutiny for 28 inmates dying in custody during his tenure and criticisms for lack of transparency from the Federally appointed Monitor. At the time of his departure, the US Attorneys Office signaled it would seek a federal takeover the jails. [20] [21]

On October 31, 2023, Molina was appointed Assistant Deputy Mayor of Public Safety. In that capacity, he will report directly to the Deputy Mayor of Public Safety.[22][23][24]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bromwich, Jonah E.; Rashbaum, William K.; Ransom, Jan (2023-10-31). "New York's Embattled Jails Leader Gets a New Job in City Hall". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  2. ^ "Mayor appoints Louis Molina to assistant deputy mayor role". ny1.com. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  3. ^ Fandos, Nicholas; Bromwich, Jonah E. (2021-12-16). "In Naming New Jails Chief, Adams Vows to Revive Solitary Confinement". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  4. ^ "Eric Adams names Louis Molina NYC Department of Correction Commissioner". ABC7 New York. 2021-12-16. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  5. ^ Lungariello, Mark. "Westchester: Louis Molina resigns as deputy correction commissioner". The Journal News. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  6. ^ Baker, Al; Goldstein, Joseph (2011-12-31). "Police Tactic: Keeping Crime Reports Off the Books". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  7. ^ Parascandola, Rocco. "On the rise: Former cop promoted at Brooklyn DA's office". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  8. ^ a b "Acting U.S. Attorney Announces Successful Conclusion Of Agreement With Westchester County Jail To Remedy Constitutional Violations At The Jail". www.justice.gov. 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  9. ^ Wilson, Colleen. "Breaking the school to prison pipeline; Yonkers' MBK grant to fund "model" program in jail". The Journal News. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  10. ^ Marcius, Carla Roman, Chelsia Rose. "Jailed NY mothers learning parenting and coping skills from therapy dogs". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-10-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Carey, Peter. "Westchester County Department of Corrections Partners With Legal Aid Society on First of Its Kind Legal Service Support Program". www.hamlethub.com. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  12. ^ "NYSBA Honors Marine Corps Veteran and Former NYPD Officer with Inaugural Martin B. Adelman Award". New York State Bar Association. 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  13. ^ "Detail". www.lasvegasnevada.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  14. ^ Fandos, Nicholas; Bromwich, Jonah E. (2021-12-16). "In Naming New Jails Chief, Adams Vows to Revive Solitary Confinement". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  15. ^ Rayman, Chris Sommerfeldt, Graham. "Mayor-elect Adams introduces Louis Molina as commissioner of NYC's embattled Department of Correction". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-12-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "Mayor-Elect Adams Names Louis Molina Next Department Of Correction Commissioner – CBS New York". Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  17. ^ "Eric Adams taps Las Vegas Public Safety Chief to lead NYC jails". City & State NY. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  18. ^ Blau, Reuven (2021-12-16). "Adams Vows to Bring Solitary Confinement Back to Rikers Island, Scrapping Reforms". THE CITY. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  19. ^ Rubinstein, Dana (2021-12-18). "The No. 1 Skill Eric Adams Is Looking For (It's Not on a Résumé)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  20. ^ https://nypost.com/2023/10/31/metro/nycs-doc-head-louis-molina-leaving-post-for-new-city-hall-gig-as-rikers-federal-takeover-looms/
  21. ^ https://nypost.com/2023/08/10/troubled-nyc-jail-system-inches-closer-to-possible-federal-takeover/
  22. ^ "Mayor Adams Appoints Louis Molina as Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety". The official website of the City of New York. October 31, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  23. ^ Bromwich, Jonah E.; Rashbaum, William K.; Ransom, Jan (2023-10-31). "New York's Embattled Jails Leader Gets a New Job in City Hall". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  24. ^ "New York City Department of Correction Commissioner Louis Molina appointed assistant deputy mayor for Public Safety - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
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