Professor nominated for drug control job

The University’s associate professor of criminal justice and human services, Benjamin B. Tucker, was nominated by Barack Obama for Deputy Director of State, Local and Tribal Affairs. This position would be under the Office of National Drug Control policy.

Tucker, who was nominated on Aug 6, has over 40 years of experience in the field of criminal justice. He has previously worked as a police officer, attorney, government official and professor.

Deputy Director, State, Local and Tribal Affairs is a position within the Office of National Drug Control Policy. It is one of four deputy director positions including Deputy Director, Demand Reduction, Supply Reduction and Director for State, all of whom    work under the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Director of the National Drug Control Policy, R. Gil Kerlikowske, was confirmed on May 7.

Obama announced his intent to nominate Tucker as well as four others to executive positions on July 28. “I am confident that this group will bring tremendous dedication and expertise to my administration during this important time for our nation. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead,” Obama said, according to The White House Web site.

Tucker is presently not speaking to the media since he has yet to be confirmed. Tucker is waiting to go through confirmation hearings conducted by the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate Judiciary Committee is responsible for conducting hearings on nominations to fill executive positions within the Department of Justice such as the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Following confirmation hearings during which members of the committee interrogates the nominee, a nomination is listed for consideration by the Judiciary Committee during an executive business meeting.  If a majority of the Committee orders an executive nomination to be reported to the full Senate for consideration, the nomination is placed on the executive calendar.  If a majority of the Senate votes in favor of an executive nomination, the president is notified and the nomination is confirmed. Tucker’s confirmation hearings will occur within the next couple of months.

Tucker began his career in 1969 as a police officer in the New York Police Department (NYPD), working as a beat cop as well one of a select group of new precinct service officers educated by medical and other substance abuse experts to conduct innovative drug prevention and education programs in city schools and colleges. He is a recognized expert in community policing, former Executive Director of New York City Commission on Human Rights, and Deputy Director for Operations at the U.S. Department of Justice, under the Clinton Administration.

Tucker received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). in criminal justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Fordham University School of Law.

“I think he is very qualified for this position and as a professor his teaching methods were effective as he incorporated his personal anecdotes from his exiting career into the lesson. His expertise in the field of criminal justice was so impressive it made me respect him more. The class was always so fun and interesting I learned a lot,” sophomore Kris Sanchez, who took one of Tucker’s criminal justice courses said.