New Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (The WhiteHouse)

Director Kerlikowske Confirmed by Senate as Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection Today, the Senate voted to confirm Gil Kerlikowske to be the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a role to which he will be transitioning over the next several days.  Once the transition is complete, Deputy Director Michael Botticelli will take on the role of Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy. While the staff of the Office of National Drug Control Policy is sad to see Director Kerlikowske go, we wish him all the best in his new position, and we look forward to the continued leadership of Deputy Director Botticelli. Background:    Mr. Kerlikowske brings 37 years of law enforcement and drug policy experience. He most recently served 9 years as the Chief of Police for Seattle, Washington. When he left, crime was at its lowest point in 40 years. Previously, he was Deputy Director for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, where he was responsible for over 6 billion dollars in Federal assets. Mr. Kerlikowske was also Police Commissioner of Buffalo, New York. The majority of his law enforcement career was in Florida where he served in the St. Petersburg Police Department. He was elected twice to be President of the Major Cities Chiefs, which is comprised of the largest city and county law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada, and was also elected President of the Police Executive Research Forum. He has received numerous awards and recognition for leadership, innovation, and community service. He served in the U.S. Army where he was awarded the Presidential Service Badge. He served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national organization that advocates for evidence-based programs that prevent youth from being involved in crime. He has also served on the advisory boards of the Salvation Army in Buffalo and Seattle. Mr. Kerlikowske received the American Medical Association's, Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service in 2011. Mr. Kerlikowske holds a B.A. and a M.A. in criminal justice as well as a Honorary Doctor in  Humane Letters from the University of South Florida. Source: The White House Blog http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/03/06/director-kerlikowske-confirmed-senate-commissioner-customs-and-border-protection