The Career
50 Years in and around NYC Law Enforcement
''He (Richard Koehler) knows the problems that are there today. He knows the problems that were there when he left, and they probably will be the problems there when he leaves.” - Ben Ward, Commissioner of Corrections
The New York Times - September 23, 1986
1962 - 1966
US Navy
Radarman 2nd Class - USS Cony
1967 - 1973
NYPD
Recruit
Patrolman - 18th Precinct
Sergeant - 81st Precinct
Internal Communications Division, Office of the Commissioner
1973 - 1978
NYPD Administrative
Secretary to NYPD Board of Ethics, Deputy Commissioner Legal Matters
Personnel Bureau, Administrator NYPD Management Assessment Center
NYPD Office of Labor Policy
Promoted to Lieutenant NYPD, 1977
Appearing before the Board of Corrections on Rikers Island overcrowding and violence with Deputy Chief George Vierno, 1988.
Leadership
1978 - 1981
NYPD Director of Communications
Overhaul 9-1-1 Emergency System
Overhauled a 911 Emergency System in Turmoil.
December 13, 1978 - The New York Times
1981 - 1983
Deputy Commissioner Department of Corrections
Press Conference after the 1988 Riot in Anna Kross Jail on Rikers Island. Commissioner Koehler, Deputy Chief George Vierno, Supervising Warden Jim Garvey, and Warden Ron Galletta.
1983 - 1986
NYPD Leadership
Commanding Officer, Police Planning Division
Commanding Officer, Personnel Bureau
Chief of Personnel
“After spending my life in the city, including 20 years in police, I say what the hell good is jail? It costs too much and we get almost nothing for it.” - Richard J. Koehler, New York City Correction Commissioner
April 19, 1987 - The New York Times
1986 - 1989
Commissioner of Corrections for the City of New york
Named Corrections Commissioner
during a historic crime wave and overcrowding of the City’s jails.
September 23, 1986 - The New York Times
Commissioner Koehler with his wife Judy receiving the NYPD/NAVY Man of the Year Award from Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly at the Association's Annual Awards Ceremony on October 14, 2011