Gil Kerlikowske facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gil Kerlikowske
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| Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection | |
| In office March 7, 2014 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Thomas S. Winkowski (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Kevin McAleenan |
| Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy | |
| In office May 7, 2009 – March 7, 2014 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Ed Jurith (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Michael Botticelli |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 23, 1949 Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Anna Lazlo |
| Education | University of South Florida (BCJ, MCJ) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1970–1972 |
Richard Gil Kerlikowske (born November 23, 1949) is a former leader in the United States government. He was the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection from 2014 to 2017. Before that, he was the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy from 2009 to 2014.
Kerlikowske studied at the University of South Florida and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy. He has been a Chief of Police in four different cities. He also worked for the United States Justice Department. His longest time as a police chief was in Seattle, Washington, from 2001 to 2009. After his government roles, he became a visiting professor at Northeastern University.
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Early Life and Education
Gil Kerlikowske grew up in Florida. He graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1968.
He earned two degrees in criminal justice from the University of South Florida. The university also gave him an honorary doctorate. He also trained at the FBI's Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Career in Public Service
Kerlikowske served in the United States Army from 1970 to 1972. He was a military police officer in Washington, D.C.. One of his jobs was to salute President Richard Nixon when he got on his helicopter. For his service, he received the Presidential Service Badge.
He started his police career in 1972 in St. Petersburg, Florida. He then became Chief of Police in Fort Pierce, Florida and Port St. Lucie, Florida. He also served as police commissioner for Buffalo, New York for about a year and a half.
He worked for the United States Justice Department. There, he helped manage grants for community policing programs. His work was praised by Attorney General Janet Reno and First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Leading the Seattle Police Department
Kerlikowske became the Chief of the Seattle Police Department in July 2001. During his time, the department handled several large public events.
In 2003, Seattle had no shooting deaths involving police officers for the first time in 15 years. Kerlikowske believed that tools like Tasers helped reduce these incidents. In 2004, he even participated in a public demonstration where he was Tased. This helped people understand how the devices worked.
Director of Drug Policy
In 2009, President Barack Obama chose Kerlikowske to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy. This office helps create the country's drug policy. He started this role on May 7, 2009.
Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection
On August 1, 2013, President Obama nominated him for another important role. He was chosen to be the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This agency protects the country's borders and manages customs.
On March 6, 2014, the U.S. Senate approved his nomination. He became the first permanent commissioner for CBP since 2009. He served in this role until January 20, 2017.
See also
- List of U.S. executive branch czars
