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Brendan Cox, a former chief of the Albany Police Department, is returning to his post on an interim basis. He takes over from Eric Hawkins, who is leaving the role to take a job in Michigan. Cox's appointment, effective from today, was announced by Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
Cox, a 23-year veteran of the Albany Police Department, previously served as Assistant Chief of Police, and then Deputy Chief of Police under former Chief Steven Krokoff. He was appointed Chief of Police, serving from 2015 to 2017. According to CBS6 Albany, Cox retired to take a job as the L.E.A.D. National Support Bureau as Director of Policing Strategies.
Mayor Sheehan praised Cox's experience, noting that he would be able to step into the role immediately, providing stability as her term ends and a new mayor steps into the job. She told the Times Union, “In order to have a smooth transition and ensure that we can continue to do the work that we’re doing, and have a leader that is going to be able to walk in on day one and do the job, we’re really grateful to have the leadership and the experience that Chief Cox brings to this position.”
Cox will hold the interim role until a new Mayor appoints a new Police Chief. Mayor Sheehan does not plan to run for reelection in 2025. Cox made it clear he does not plan to stay in the role permanently, joking, "I'd like to stay married."