Richard T Donovan

Richard T. Donovan has over 36 years of honorable, distinguished service to the citizens of the City of Buffalo and County of Erie. He has had an extensive and varied career in law enforcement with expertise in administrative and operational capacities. Mr. Donovan rose through the ranks of the Buffalo Police Department, serving as a Police Officer, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief of Detectives, Precinct Commander, Chief of Homicide, Deputy Police Commissioner, and from 1992 to 1994, Police Commissioner. As Commissioner of Police, he was responsible for all aspects of the administration, patrol, investigative and law enforcement functions for the City of Buffalo, managing a budget of approximately $52 million. He was intimately involved in labor relations, contract negotiation and medical/sick leave policies and procedures, and the police re-organization committee. Mr. Donovan has also served as an Investigator with the United States Attorney�s Office, where he conducted complex investigations of fraudulent acts committed against the United States in the areas of health care, defense procurement and housing/urban development. These investigations included the recovery of damages. Under Sheriff Patrick Gallivan, he served as Chief Deputy, the third-ranking member in the Erie County Sheriff�s office, and oversaw patrol, investigation, narcotics and court security divisions. A graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute and the FBI Academy, Mr. Donovan earned a bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his long and distinguished service to the community and has served numerous professional, charitable, civic and fraternal organizations.