Wilmington – Mayor Mike Purzycki has named former NYPD Captain Robert “Bob” Tracy as Wilmington’s new police Chief. Tracy has held several command positions with the New York Police Department like commanding officer of the NYPD/U.S. Marshall of the Regional Fugitive Task Force. In that role, he led a specialized joint task force comprised of NYPD personnel and more than 50 federal, state, and local agencies in the apprehension of wanted fugitives. Tracy also worked as the vice president and global crisis manager for the Office of Business Continuity for Citigroup, where he coordinated its global crisis management efforts. Tracy served as a Chief of Police overseeing the Office of Crime Control Strategies for the Chicago Police Department. Most recently he served as senior vice president of Chicago-based United Security Services, Inc.
Tracy broke new ground within the CPD by bringing the internationally acclaimed CompStat process to Chicago. From 2011 to 2015, he oversaw the CompStat process and implemented strategies and initiatives that reduced overall crime by 37 percent and helped make significant strides in reducing Chicago’s murder rate. Considered an expert in his field, Tracy is a highly sought-after speaker on both national and international platforms.
He has spoken on many topics, including procedural justice and policing, and gang violence reduction strategies at prestigious locations like New Scotland Yard, London, the Harvard Kennedy School, and Loyola University’s Corboy Law Center.
Tracy has been awarded numerous commendations, including the New York City Police Foundation’s Dale Hemmerdinger Award of Excellence for distinguished public service. Outside of extensive professional training at prestigious schools like Cornell University and the Wharton Business School, Tracy holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College and a Bachelor of Arts in History from SUNY Empire State College. He and his wife Brenda have five children.
