Deputy Commissioner Bernice Kennedy joined the Mount Vernon Police Department in 1 972. As a police officer he was assigned to the uniformed patrol force and also worked in the department’s Anti Crime and Street Crime Units. He is skilled in the areas of community relations, as well as court procedures and is proficient in the use of specialized firearms. In addition to his uniformed service, he also performed various plain clothes and undercover operations such as illegal gambling and nar­cotics investigations. In 1979, he was assigned to the Detective Division and worked in both the Narcotics Unit and the Special Investigations Unit. In 1 992, he was assigned as personal securi­ty to the Mayor of Mount Vernon.
During his career as a sworn member of the department, Deputy Commissioner Kennedy was recognized as “Rookie of the Year”, received Life Saving awards, an Arson Investigation Commendation, Excellent Police Duty awards, and numerous Meritorious Police Duty awards and commendations.
The Deputy Commissioner is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Progressive Lodge Number 64, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Westchester/Rockland Guardians Association, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Mount Vernon Police Benevolent Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post Number 6396.
Deputy Commissioner Kennedy has been a resident of the city for many years. He is married, has a daughter and one grand­son. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from lona College.
On November 13, 2000, he was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Police Department.

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