Who is Dermot Shea?
Dermot Shea is a retired American police officer who served as the 44th New York City Police Commissioner. Appointed in December 2019, he led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 protests following George Floyd’s death. Dermot was known for championing data analytics and precision policing, focusing on reducing crime through targeted enforcement strategies. Born on May 24, 1969, Dermots holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from SUNY Oneonta.
How old is Dermot Shea?
Dermot was born on May 24, 1969, in Sunnyside, Queens, New York, making him 56 years old as of 2025. He always celebrates his birthday on May 24 every year, and his zodiac sign is Gemini.
Personal Information Summary
| Real Name | Dermot Francis Shea |
| Gender Identity | Male (cisgender) |
| Date of Birth | May 24, 1969 |
| Age | 56 years old as of 2025 |
| Birth Place | Sunnyside, Queens, New York |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Irish-American (his parents immigrated from Ireland) |
| Occupation | Retired Police Officer |
| Notable Role | 44th Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) |
| Career Start | Joined NYPD in 1991, starting in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx |
| Date of Retirement | He stepped down as Commissioner in late 2021 |
Early Life and Education
Dermot Shea was born on May 24, 1969, in Sunnyside, Queens, New York. His parents were Irish immigrants; his father worked as a handyman, and his mother was a homemaker. He has several siblings, including brothers named Jim and Paul Shea. He grew up surrounded by a strong sense of community and public service. His family had deep ties to law enforcement, whereby his uncle served in the NYPD, and his brother Jim joined the NYPD on the same day as Dermot, while his other brother, Paul, serves in the U.S. Army. Shea attended Xavier High School before enrolling at the State University of New York at Oneonta. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics. After graduating, Shea joined the New York City Police Academy in 1990.
| Parent’s name | Father: Worked as a handyman Mother: Was a homemaker |
| Siblings | Brothers, Jim and Paul Shea |
Dermot Shea’s Wife
Shea is married to his wife Serena, and they have been together for over two decades. Dermot and Serena Shea have three children: Jacqueline, Lauren, and Richie. Despite Dermot Shea’s high-profile role as former NYPD Commissioner, Dermot has maintained information about his family private.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Partner | Serena |
| Children | Jacqueline, Lauren, and Richie |
Dermot Shea Career Background/Highlights
Shea joined the NYPD in 1991, after graduating in the top 10% of his academy class. He was sworn in as a Police Officer and began his service in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx. Early in his career, Shea demonstrated a strong aptitude for crime analysis and operational strategy, which led to his promotion through various ranks, including sergeant (1994), lieutenant (1999), captain (2003), Deputy Inspector (2008), Inspector (2010), and eventually deputy chief (2013). In April 2014, then-Commissioner William Bratton appointed him Deputy Commissioner of Operations.
Before this appointment, he had been a chief commanding the Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations. He also commanded the 44th and 50th precincts and the Patrol Borough Bronx Anti-Crime Unit (Information as per Wikipedia). One of Shea’s most notable contributions came during his tenure as Chief of Crime Control Strategies (2017), where he helped modernize the department’s use of data through CompStat, a system that tracks crime trends and informs deployment decisions. His analytical approach earned him recognition for reducing crime rates while promoting precision policing. In April 2018, Shea was appointed Chief of Detectives, overseeing all investigative units within the NYPD. He led high-profile investigations and coordinated responses to major incidents.
His promotion to NYPD Commissioner in December 2019 by Mayor Bill de Blasio marked the pinnacle of his career. As Commissioner, Shea guided the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd, facing both operational challenges and public scrutiny. Throughout his career, Shea emphasized transparency, community engagement, and reform, including the expansion of body-worn cameras. Despite facing criticism over the department’s handling of protests and calls to defund the police, Shea remained a vocal advocate for reform from within, emphasizing the importance of balancing public safety with civil liberties. He retired from the NYPD in late 2021, leaving behind a legacy of data-driven policing and institutional modernization.
How Tall is Dermot Shea?
Shea is approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, equaling 1.7 meters.
Dermot Shea Net Worth
As of 2025, Dermot Shea’s estimated net worth is approximately $3 million. This figure reflects his long career in law enforcement, including his tenure as NYPD Commissioner, along with post-retirement engagements.