January 17 – Mayor Byron W. Brown announced today that he is appointing Byron C. Lockwood, the current Deputy Police Commissioner, to serve as the Interim Commissioner of the Buffalo Police Department.
Mayor Brown stated, “I am deeply appreciative of the time and hard work Byron Lockwood has put into his current role as Deputy Police Commissioner and know that he is the right person, who knows our city, to provide the level of leadership and safety we need as the Interim Police Commissioner. Deputy Lockwood has a distinguished career in law enforcement and has been an integral part of the Department’s anti-crime efforts that have lowered overall crime by 40% since 2006. I have full confidence that in the coming months he will continue to build strong relations between our community and police officers, bring innovative ideas and creative policing tactics to the Department and run this department just like he has approached his other command positions - with great integrity, hard work, and a love for this police department.”
Byron C. Lockwood was raised on the east side of Buffalo in the Ellicott Mall Projects and was educated in the Buffalo Public School System. He is a 34 veteran of the Buffalo Police Department. He joined the force as a police officer in 1984 and rose through the ranks to detective, followed by detective sergeant where he served in the Intelligence Unit, Street Crime Unit, Narcotics, Vice and Homicide. In 2006, Lockwood was appointed to Deputy Commissioner of Operations and in 2010 he was appointed to the position of First Deputy Commissioner of Police.
As Deputy Police Commissioner, Lockwood has a strong track record in fighting crime, making neighborhoods safer, and deepening bonds between police and the community by continuing to revolutionize community-based policing. Since 2006, Buffalo saw a 40% reduction in overall crime, the removal of over 15,500 illegal guns and the installation of over 230 police surveillance cameras in neighborhoods citywide. He’s played a major role in numerous collaborative efforts with other law enforcement agencies and partnerships, like Buffalo Peacemakers, that continue to result in successful arrests and convictions. He has also helped to re-establish community policing to improve dialogue between the community and police officers, with monthly community meetings held at each District with the Chief, as well as an ongoing, bi-weekly conversation with the Concerned Clergy Coalition of WNY. Lockwood also spearheads the “Active Shooter Presentation” at local churches and schools to help teach the public “what to do” in the event of such an emergency.
“I would like to thank Mayor Brown for the opportunity to lead what I feel is one of the finest police departments in the country,” said Lockwood. “Policing is a noble profession, a profession that I have dedicated my life to, and I’m humbled by this awesome responsibility to continue to serve the people of Buffalo as Interim Police Commissioner.”
Lockwood has received a number of awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award in Law Enforcement. He resides in Buffalo. Lockwood works with and helps support youth organizations. He is a proud sponsor of the WNY Bills Little League Football Organization. He visits schools to speak to youth about his career in law enforcement and encourages them to consider becoming Police Officers. His appointment is effective immediately.