Ray Kelly
Police Commissioner
NYPD
New York, NY USA
“A lot of people don't think about what makes them happy or what they want to do. They do it because their father did it; they go to the family business or they go to the family school.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationRay Kelly
Highlight
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
He grew up on the west side of Manhattan, back when it was still a dangerous place.
After graduating from college, he joined the NYPD's first police cadet program marketed to college grads.
He immediately loved police work-says that the adrenaline rush of responding to a call excites him.
All three of his older brothers had joined the Marine Corps, so when he was offered a commission to their officer program, he accepted.
Left the NYPD for three years to serve in the Vietnam War, but immediately returned after his active duty was over.
From there, he quickly rose through the ranks; he was promoted to captain, and then he was elected commissioner for two terms.
Says that everyone he knows who chose a career based on salary is not very happy.
Urges road-trippers to think about why they love what they love, and to make sure they're not just following someone else's career path.
Education
High School
Career
Police Commissioner
I serve the community by overseeing day to day operations of the NYPD.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Government
Armed Services
