Former NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth E. Corey Named Executive Director of the Policing Leadership Academy

CHICAGO, IL — The University of Chicago Crime Lab today announced that Kenneth E. Corey has been appointed Executive Director of its Policing Leadership Academy (PLA), a first-of-its-kind executive education program designed to help police leaders reduce gun violence and build trust in the communities they serve.

The announcement follows Corey’s recent appearance on the Washington Post’s Reasonably Optimistic podcast, where he spoke with host Megan McArdle about the new role.

At a moment when many see the combination of persistent gun violence and the end of pandemic relief as a recipe for inevitable backsliding, public safety leaders face a critical test: whether recent declines in violent crime can be sustained amid tightening budgets. The Policing Leadership Academy (PLA) is built on the premise that this moment is not hopeless—and that leadership and management are among the most powerful, scalable levers for maintaining and accelerating progress.

Launched in May 2023 with major support from philanthropist and Citadel CEO Ken Griffin and additional funding from GCM Grosvenor CEO Michael Sacks, the Academy trains cohorts of mid-level managers in law enforcement serving some of the nation’s most violent neighborhoods. Over five months, the PLA equips leaders with evidence-based strategies to reduce violent crime, increase organizational performance, and build community trust—bringing the rigor of executive MBA-style education to policing, grounded in the resources of one of the world’s leading research universities.

Chief Corey brings more than 34 years of leadership experience in policing and public safety. He began his career with the New York City Police Department in 1988 as a police cadet and retired in November 2022 as Chief of Department, the highest ranking sworn position in the department, where he oversaw all police operations citywide, including major events and parades. Throughout his career, he emphasized neighborhood policing, officer health and wellness, and strong partnerships with community, government, business, and media leaders to improve public safety outcomes. After retiring from the NYPD, Chief Corey joined the University of Chicago Crime Lab, where he has helped develop and implement the PLA since its launch alongside Sandy Jo MacArthur (retired Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief) and Luann Pannell (former Los Angeles Police Department Director of Police Training and Education).

Over the past three decades, New York City has achieved some of the most significant and sustained public safety gains in the country, and Chief Corey’s appointment ensures that lessons from that experience can be applied to departments in other cities facing similar challenges. Since joining the University of Chicago Crime Lab following his retirement from the NYPD, Chief Corey has played a key role in developing and implementing the PLA, most recently serving as Director of Outreach and Engagement.

“The Policing Leadership Academy represents what the profession needs right now—rigorous, evidence-informed leadership development grounded in the real challenges command staff face every day,” said Ken Corey. “I’m honored to join the Crime Lab and to work with policing leaders who are committed to saving lives, strengthening their organizations, and earning the trust of the communities they serve.”

Roseanna Ander, Executive Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, emphasized the importance of Chief Corey’s leadership at this moment.

“We are thrilled to have Ken at the helm of the Policing Leadership Academy as it enters this next phase,” said Ander. “Cities across the country are being asked to do more with less, even as gun violence remains an urgent challenge. We believe the PLA is one way cities can continue to make progress—by helping policing leaders use data, evidence, and strong management practices to deliver greater public safety impact with the resources they have.”

Bill Bratton (retired New York City Police Department Commissioner and Los Angeles Police Department Chief), Charles Ramsey (retired Philadelphia Police Department Commissioner and Chief of the Washington, District of Columbia, Metropolitan Police Department), and Charlie Beck (retired Los Angeles Police Department Chief and Chicago Police Department Interim Superintendent), who also serve on the PLA Advisory Committee, pointed to Corey’s experience and the broader significance of the program.

“The PLA is a true game changer for the profession to which so many of us have dedicated our lives — not only for its potential to enhance public safety, but for its ability to build trust and strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the communities they serve at a time when that trust is desperately needed,” said Bratton. “I have known Ken Corey for many years, and he brings the experience, credibility, and values necessary to lead this important work forward.”

“Ken Corey is an outstanding choice to lead this academy — one that is meeting a pivotal moment in the future of policing through practical, evidence-based leadership training,” said Ramsey. “He brings decades of experience and a clear understanding that strong leadership and community trust are essential to improving public safety — both of which are exactly what the profession needs right now.”

“We ask police leaders to navigate enormous challenges, often without the kind of executive leadership training that’s so common in other sectors,” said Beck. “The PLA fills that gap. It gives police leaders the tools to lead smarter while reducing violence. There’s no one better than Ken to lead this important work—he’s a thoughtful leader who deeply cares about the people he serves and the officers he leads.”

Speaking to Chief Corey’s influence on the field, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis, underscored the values that define his approach to leadership in policing.

“Ken has demonstrated throughout his career that effective policing begins with principled leadership and deep respect for others. He understands that public safety improves when our officers are guided by trust, integrity, and moral clarity. Through his commitment to developing the next generation of police leaders, Ken is creating a better vision of policing—and the Policing Leadership Academy is stronger for it.”

Through intensive coursework, peer learning, and applied problem-solving, the PLA helps police executives translate research into practice—advancing strategies that reduce violence, improve effectiveness, and strengthen legitimacy in the communities they serve. To date, the PLA has trained 165 rising police leaders from 90 jurisdictions in 36 states plus four international departments. Together, these jurisdictions account for more than one-third of all homicides nationwide.

The Academy is also designed to generate lessons for the field nationally. Researchers from the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell University are conducting a multi-city randomized controlled trial to rigorously evaluate the PLA’s impact and help shape the future of policing leadership education.

This article originally appeared at the Crime Lab at the University of Chicago.