City of Rochester
News Release
(Monday, March 13, 2017) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren announced today that she has named Dr. Cedric Alexander to be the Deputy Mayor of Rochester.
“Dr. Alexander is already well known to this community as a former Police Chief who was equally respected by the rank-and-file officers and the citizens of Rochester. He was a great police chief and he’s going to be a fantastic Deputy Mayor,” said Mayor Warren. “I am looking forward to working with Dr. Alexander as we continue to create more jobs, safer more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for all of our citizens.”
“I am excited to return to Rochester, a city I have long considered my home. And I am looking forward to working with Mayor Warren and her team in City Hall as we fulfill her commitment to the people of Rochester,” said Dr. Alexander.
Dr. Alexander, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology, is the Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Public Safety for DeKalb County, Ga. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the county’s Police and Fire Departments, the Medical Examiner’s Office, Animal Services and 911 Communications.
He served as Rochester’s Police Chief and Deputy Chief from 2002 to 2005 under Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. He also served as an assistant professor in the University of Rochester’s Department of Psychiatry. He has appeared on national media networks to provide comment on police-community relations and has written editorials for CNN titled “How to Build a Sensitive Cop;” “Police and Communities of Color Need to Build Trust;” and “Attacks on Police are an Attack on Community.”
Dr. Alexander was also one of 11 police professionals to serve on President Barack Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which produced a document used by police departments across the nation to improve police-community relations. He has also testified before Congress on such topics as intelligence gathering and sharing and police-community relations.
Dr. Alexander will replace R. Carlos Carballada, who has been Deputy Mayor since June of 2016, following the retirement of Leonard Redon. Carballada had intended to serve until the end of 2016, but agreed to remain in the post while Mayor Warren continued her search for a permanent Deputy Mayor.
“Because of Carlos Carballada I was able to hold out for the perfect candidate for Deputy Mayor, and for that and everything else he has done for my Administration, I will always be thankful,” said Mayor Warren. “Carlos Carballada is the epitome of a public servant and this city owes him a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
Mr. Carballada will continue to work in an executive role in the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development to further improve customer service and job creation strategies.
Dr. Alexander will begin his term as Deputy Mayor on April 24.
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News media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.