The Port Authority announced today that Acting Chief Security Officer John Bilich – a former NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations and chief investigator in the Manhattan and Brooklyn District Attorney’s Offices – has been named the agency’s permanent Chief Security Officer.

Mr. Bilich, who was named Acting Chief Security Officer in December 2016, joined the Port Authority in March 2015 as First Deputy Chief Security Officer after serving as the chief investigator at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. Prior to his service in the Brooklyn and Manhattan District Attorney’s Offices, he served for 24 years with the New York City Police Department, rising to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Operations, where he served as the agency’s primary crime strategist and head of the department’s COMPSTAT program.

Upon his departure from the NYPD, Mr. Bilich joined the New York State Division of Criminal Justice as Deputy Commissioner for Public Safety. He managed Operation IMPACT program designed to reduce crime in the 17 counties that possess 80 percent of non-New York City crime.

“John is a world-class law enforcement professional whose dedication and leadership will help us to better protect the public and the critical transportation assets that we operate and maintain,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “John’s efforts in the time he’s been with us have already strengthened and unified our security operations, and we are confident he will continue to fulfill this critical role.”

“John has a uniquely broad background in leadership positions in law enforcement – at the city level, at the state level, and as lead investigator in major criminal prosecutions,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “His wide-ranging outside experience coupled with his last two years as second in command in the Port Authority’s Security department will bring a strong blend of external perspective, inside understanding of the security issues at stake and proven leadership skills to his new position. Coupled with his long involvement in utilizing computerized statistical tools and other technology based security protocols, John’s background is the perfect profile for the Port Authority’s Chief Security Officer.”

The Port Authority’s Chief Security Officer position was formed in 2012 to centralize safety and security operations at the agency’s bistate transportation facilities. It is tasked with overseeing the 1,800-member Port Authority Police Department and the agency’s critical security functions to provide the highest quality in public safety, facility security operations, security program management, emergency management and airport rescue and firefighting training.