Paul Mauro is a retired NYPD inspector who has served in various roles within the department, including commanding officer of the Legal Bureau and the Intelligence Operations and Analysis Bureau. He is also an author, a lawyer, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In this article, we will explore his remarkable career and achievements, as well as some of the challenges and controversies he faced along the way.
From Law School to Ground Zero
Paul Mauro graduated from Fordham Law School with a J.D. degree and joined the NYPD in 2000. He was assigned to the Intelligence Division, where he worked on counter-terrorism and criminal investigations. He was one of the first responders to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, where he helped with rescue and recovery efforts. According to celeknow, he later said that the experience was “the most difficult thing I ever had to do in my life”.
Rising through the Ranks of Intelligence
After 9/11, Mauro continued to work in the Intelligence Division, where he rose through the ranks and became the commanding officer of both the analytic and operational sides of the department’s counter-terrorism efforts. He was responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence on terrorist threats and activities, both domestic and foreign. He also supervised undercover operations, covert surveillance, and electronic data usage. He collaborated with numerous foreign and domestic law enforcement agencies, such as the CIA, the FBI, Interpol, Europol, and the National Counterterrorism Center, to bring complex joint investigations and prosecutions. Some of the high-profile cases he handled included the first successful use of New York State’s counter-terrorism statutes, as well as enterprise corruption, RICO, and terrorist-related money laundering investigations.
Leading the Legal Bureau and the Body-Worn Camera Program
In 2017, Mauro was appointed as the commanding officer of the NYPD’s Legal Bureau, where he oversaw all legal issues involving the department, such as litigation, contracts, personnel, and policy. He also served as the executive officer of the Intelligence Operations and Analysis Bureau, where he continued to oversee intelligence collection and analysis. One of his major tasks was to supervise the department’s Privacy Officer and the Body-Worn Camera Program, which aimed to enhance transparency and accountability of police officers. He was involved in developing and implementing the policies and procedures for the use, storage, and disclosure of body-worn camera footage, as well as responding to requests for electronic information from the public, the media, and the courts.
Facing Controversy and Criticism
Mauro’s career was not without controversy and criticism. He was accused of being involved in a scandal involving the NYPD’s use of a controversial facial recognition software called Clearview AI, which scraped millions of photos from social media and other sources without consent. According to Forbes, the NYPD denied using the software, but a report by BuzzFeed News revealed that Mauro and other officers had used it hundreds of times to identify suspects and witnesses. Mauro defended his use of the software, saying that it was a “valuable tool” that helped solve crimes and save lives.
Mauro was also criticized for his role in the NYPD’s mass data collection and surveillance programs, which were challenged by civil liberties groups and activists. According to The New York Times, the NYPD collected and stored millions of records of license plate readers, cell phone trackers, and social media posts, without adequate oversight and safeguards. Mauro argued that the data collection was necessary and lawful, and that the NYPD had strict policies and protocols to protect privacy and civil rights.
Retiring from the NYPD and Pursuing New Ventures
Mauro retired from the NYPD in 2023, after 23 years of service. He then joined DeMarco Law PLLC, a law firm that specializes in internal and external investigations, anti-piracy enforcement, electronic surveillance, mass data collection, and the lawful use of new and emerging technologies. He also advises on AML/KYC policies, investigations, and enforcement defense, as well as compliance and governance issues across a wide range of laws and disciplines. He is also a published author, having written a book called “The NYPD’s Intelligence Operations: A History and Analysis of the Nation’s First Municipal Intelligence Unit”. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a prestigious think tank that focuses on foreign policy and international affairs. He has spoken frequently on law enforcement, data collection, and surveillance and intelligence issues to a wide range of audiences, including at the United Nations, the German National Police College, the International Chiefs of Police convention, the U.S. Army European Command, and the Supreme Court of Malaysia.
Conclusion
Paul Mauro is a retired NYPD inspector who has had a remarkable career in law enforcement, intelligence, and legal affairs. He has played a key role in the NYPD’s counter-terrorism and data collection efforts, as well as in the implementation of the body-worn camera program. He has also faced controversy and criticism for his use of facial recognition software and his involvement in mass surveillance programs. He is now a lawyer, an author, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and continues to share his expertise and insights on various topics related to law enforcement and security. He is a respected and influential figure in the field of intelligence and law enforcement, and his career is a testament to his dedication and professionalism.
