Eugene O'Donnell

Eugene O’Donnell is a Lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York (CUNY). He has extensive experience as an NYPD officer, prosecutor, and advocate in criminal justice and labor rights. His career includes roles in the Queens and Brooklyn District Attorney’s Offices, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and as a Visiting Professor at the UK Police College.

Education:

• JD, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center of Touro College (1988)
• BS, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (1982)

Research focuses on policing ethics, use of force, and criminal justice policy. His 2011 article "Ethical and Humane Policing" influenced U.S. Department of State programs. He contributes to media outlets like MSNBC, NPR, and Newsweek.

Key awards include 14 NYPD honors for police service. He advises labor unions (e.g., NYC PBA, SEIU) and served on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 2013 public safety transition team.

Active in academia and policy: coordinated the Criminal Law Update (2008–2010), spoke at institutions like NYU, Princeton, and the U.S. Army Geocities program, and authored entries for encyclopedias like World Book Encyclopedia.