Phil Pulaski | Blogspot: July 2019

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

A Brief History of the NYPD Pulaski Association

Casimir Pulaski Statue
Image: commons

Phil Pulaski has 36 years of law enforcement experience including more than 33 years with the New York City Police Department (NYPD). As a Chief in the NYPD for more than 12 years and an executive (rank of captain and higher) for more than 22 years, Phil Pulaski managed patrol, investigative, counterterrorism, community affairs, quality of life and other public safety operations. During 2014, Phil Pulaski retired as Chief of Detectives of the NYPD where he was responsible for more than 3,600 personnel who, during 2013, investigated 256,000 felony and misdemeanor crimes (including 335 homicides), and arrested more than 39,000 offenders. To give back to the community as well as the law enforcement profession as a whole, Phil Pulaski held membership in the NYPD Pulaski Association.

Dedicated to unselfish bravery and freedom, the association traces its roots to 1956, when 31 law enforcement members of Polish heritage sought to launch a Polish fraternal organization. Meeting at Prospect Hall in Brooklyn, they named their organization after Gen. Casimir Pulaski, the famous Polish freedom fighter.

Leading by example, the association inspired the formation of other Polish entities in other areas of civil service. It also actively sought to expand its presence in New York and the nation. It established chapters in Chicago, Philadelphia, and more, and, today, it has more than 1,500 members.

Among its primary activities, the association holds three annual programs. Its Medal for Valor is awarded to a police officer who accomplished a heroic act, the Pulaskian of the Year Award celebrates an individual who has distinguished himself or herself through exceptional action, and its scholarships provide more than $10,000 for higher education to children of its members. Additionally, through a partnership with the Polish Gift of Life Program, it brings Polish children who require heart surgery to the United States.

About Me

After earning his bachelor of science in chemical engineering and his master of science in environmental engineering at Manhattan College in the Bronx, New York, Phil Pulaski worked four years as an engineer with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 26 Federal Plaza New York City. At the time, the US EPA was a new federal agency created by President Richard M. Nixon for the purpose of cleaning the nation’s badly polluted environment. Mr. Pulaski worked with a highly dedicated team of knowledgeable professional engineers many of whom were also Manhattan College School of Engineering graduates. The US EPA was involved in all aspects of pollution control (air, water and land) and assisted states and municipalities in cleaning their local environments. While employed by the US EPA, Phil Pulaski attended St. John's University School of Law at night in Queens, New York and earned his juris doctor degree. After passing the NYS Bar Exam, Mr. Pulaski joined the New York City Police Department where he served for more than 33 years and retired in 2014 as the chief of detectives. Mr. Pulaski was able to use both his engineering and legal experience throughout his career in the NYPD particularly as chief of detectives and commanding officer of the Counterterrorism Bureau. Mr. Pulaski’s legal and engineering experience was also instrumental in his work as a commissioner on the US Department of Justice’s National Commission on Forensic Science.