Thomas C. Finlayson, Jr.

Special Assistant to the President, Lieutenant (Ret.), New York Police Department

Thomas C. Finlayson Jr. is a native New Yorker who grew up in Southeast Queens and attended Martin Van Buren High School. He is an alumnus of Lehman College with a Bachelors Degree in Economics and holds a Master Degree in Public Administration-Inspector General from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Thomas began his Law Enforcement career in July 1984, when he was sworn into the New York City Police Department. Rising rapidly through the ranks, he was able to achieve Detective-Investigator, Sergeant and Lieutenant. During his tenure in the New York City Police Department he held several enforcement and administrative positions.

Thomas was intensely active in labor relations representing his members in the positions of Organized Crime Control Bureau Director for the Sergeants Benevolent Association and was on the Executive Committee of the Lieutenants Benevolent Association respectively.

Additionally, he is a 30-year veteran of the United States Army where he proudly served 6 years on active duty and the remaining 24 years in the active Army Reserves retiring in 2006. He held numerous instructor and training positions and took opportunities to develop many training programs for the Military Police Corp.

Currently, Thomas is an adjunct professor at Rockland Community College serving the Criminal Justice Department where he has taught an array of Terrorism/Homeland Security, Security and Criminal Investigation courses.

As an active member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) he has held Executive Board and Committee positions for both the New York and New Jersey chapters. During his lifetime he has received several distinguish awards for his involvement with community projects, his dedication in basketball and football officiating and military service.