COMMISSIONER HORN ANNOUNCES PROMOTION OF PATRICK WALSH TO CHIEF OF FACILITY OPERATIONS

Correction Commissioner Martin F. Horn today announced the promotion of Patrick Walsh to the rank of Chief of Facility Operations. Chief Walsh will be responsible for all Rikers Island facility operations and borough jail, court and hospital command operations. He is also responsible for the Special Operations Division, the Rikers Island Security Unit and the Central Operations Division. He will report to the Chief of Department, Carolyn Thomas.

"I’m proud to have Chief Walsh play such a critical role in the Department of Correction. His leadership skills and experience make him an ideal fit for this post," said Commissioner Horn.

Chief Walsh joined the Department in 1981, starting out as a Correction Officer assigned the James A. Thomas Center on Rikers Island and to the Special Operations Division. Walsh was promoted to Captain in July 1987 and to Assistant Deputy Warden in 1990. In 1997, Walsh was assigned to the Special Operations Division where, as Executive Officer of the Emergency Service Unit, his responsibilities included the Canine Unit, Communications Unit, the Harbor Unit, the Hostage Negotiation Unit and the inmate work detail.

In 1999, Walsh was promoted to Deputy Warden and was the Commanding Officer of the Gang Intelligence Unit. In January 2001, he became the Deputy Warden of the Special Operations Division. In September 2001, Walsh headed the mobilization of the Department’s Emergency Service Unit joint effort to assist with the 9/11 terror attacks and again with the recovery effort for Flight #587 November 2001 plane crash.

In December 2001, Walsh was promoted to Warden, and was assigned to the West Facility on Rikers Island and in March of this year he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Special Operations. 

Contact: Stephen Morello (212) 266-1055