PANYNJ names Bilich chief security officer

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has appointed John Bilich chief security officer, the agency announced yesterday.

A former commissioner of operations for the New York City Police Department (NYPD), Bilich joined PANYNJ in March 2015 as first deputy chief security officer.

In December 2016, he was appointed acting chief security officer. He previously served with the NYPD for 24 years.

"John's efforts in the time he's been with us have already strengthened and unified our security operations, and we are confident he will continue to fulfill this critical role," said PANYNJ Chairman Kevin O'Toole in a press release.

PANYNJ created the chief security officer position in 2012 to centralize safety and security operations at its bi-state transportation facility. The role involves overseeing the 1,800-member Port Authority Police Department and the agency's security functions.