Keith
Taylor
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Phone number
646-326-0632
Education

Ed.D, Columbia University (2004, Sociology and Education)

M.A., Naval Postgraduate School (2013, National Security Studies)

M.A., City College of New York (1992, Sociology)

B.S., Howard University (1988, Human Development)

Bio

Dr. Keith Taylor has an extensive background in law enforcement and emergency preparedness. His career encompasses a diverse range of positions, including his service as a retired NYPD Sergeant Special Assignment and NYCD Assistant Commissioner. He currently works as an adjunct assistant professor of criminal justice at John Jay College, where he imparts his knowledge and mentors future professionals in the field.

Dr. Taylor holds certifications as an International Association of Emergency Managers board
Certified Emergency Manager and Federal Emergency Management Agency Master Exercise Practitioner, underscoring his commitment to excellence in emergency management. He has shared his knowledge by teaching Department of Homeland Security incident management courses nationwide to first responders. He is also an American Society of Industrial Security board Certified Protection Professional.

Dr. Taylor's involvement with the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit (SWAT/Heavy Rescue)
equipped him with specialized expertise in Weapons of Mass Destruction response. His
collaboration with the FBI/NYPD WMD Task Force earned him recognition from then FBI
Director Robert Mueller for his role in mitigating a nationally significant incident at the United
Nations. Dr. Taylor also served as a Planning Team Manager for the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team New York Task Force 1.

He was a 9/11 first responder and supervisor of the NYPD Missing Persons Squad and was
inducted to the NYPD Honor Legion for his role in chasing and arresting armed bank robbers
during a Bronx bank robbery incident.

As the assistant commissioner in charge of the NYCD Intelligence Bureau, Dr. Taylor developed and improved policies, standards, evaluation methodologies, and specialized training programs, fostering effective interagency law enforcement coordination at local, state, and federal levels.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Taylor served his community by actively deploying for one year as a second lieutenant with the New York State Guard and was honored by the New York State Governor with the New York State Pandemic Response Service Ribbon.

Dr. Taylor has engaged with major news outlets such as CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC, BBC,
New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, al Jazeera, NPR, Univision, and
many others, providing expert commentary on major criminal incidents and law enforcement
response. He has contributed regularly as a law enforcement analyst on Court TV's Closing
Arguments program as well as Very Local's Crimes, Cons, and Capers program.

In 2023 Dr. Taylor was invited to present at the United States Mission to the United Nations,
where he shared his expertise on the challenges posed by small arms and light weapons.

Dr. Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University, followed by a Master's degree in Sociology from the City College of New York. He received a full scholarship to obtain a second Master's degree in National Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School. His doctorate in education is from Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Courses Taught

Current courses 

Race, Class and Gender in a Correctional Context – Undergraduate LPS COR 320

Introduction to Police Studies – Undergraduate LPS PSC 101

Police and Urban Communities – Undergraduate AFR 215

African American Journeys – Undergraduate AFR 239

Introduction to Corrections – Undergraduate LPS COR 101

The Law and Institutional Treatment – Undergraduate LPS COR 201

Policing in a Multiracial and Multicultural City - Undergraduate ANT 130 PD02

Sex Offenders in the Criminal Justice System - Undergraduate LPS PSC 230

Comparative Corrections Systems - Undergraduate LPS COR 303

 

 

 

 

Professional Memberships

NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association
NYPD Honor Legion
NYPD Guardians Association 
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
International Association of Chiefs of Police
International Association of Law Enforcement Planners
International Association of Professional Security Consultants
American Society of Industrial Security
International Association of Emergency Managers
High Technology Crime Investigation Association
National Tactical Officers Association
Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity

Languages
English
Scholarly Work

Never Forget- Center for Homeland Defense and Security Remembers 9/11 on the 20th Anniversary: WTC- My Story

Honors and Awards

John Jay College Provost / Vice President of Academic Affairs Certificate of Appreciation, 2023

John Jay College TEAM BRAVO! Employee Recognition Award, 2022

New York Carib News, President Faye Rodney, 2016

Murid Islamic Community of America, Serigne Salihu Mbacke, 2012

Sergeants Benevolent Association, President Ed Mullins, 2008

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Director Robert Mueller III, 2007

NYPD Honor Legion, President William Abromiwitz, 1992