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Lee Brown
Official portrait, 1996
59th Mayor of Houston
In office January 2, 1998 – January 2, 2004
Preceded by	Bob Lanier
Succeeded by	Bill White
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy
In office July 19, 1993 – January 1996
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	John Walters (Acting)
Succeeded by	Barry McCaffrey
Police Commissioner of New York City
In office January 22, 1990 – September 1, 1992
Appointed by	David Dinkins
Preceded by	Richard Condon
Succeeded by	Ray Kelly
Police Chief of Houston
In office 1982–1990
Appointed by	Kathy Whitmire
Preceded by	B.K. Johnson
Succeeded by	Elizabeth Watson
Personal details
Born	(1937-10-04) October 4, 1937 (age 87) Wewoka, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Yvonne Brown ​ ​(m. 1959; died 1992)​ Frances Young ​(m. 1996)​
Children	4
Education	California State University, Fresno (BS) San Jose State University (MA) University of California, Berkeley (MS, PhD)

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Lee Patrick Brown (born October 4, 1937) is an American politician, criminologist and businessman; in 1997 he was the first African-American to be elected mayor of Houston, Texas. He was re-elected twice to serve the maximum of three terms from 1998 to 2004.

He has had a long career in law enforcement and academia; leading police departments in Atlanta, Houston and New York over the course of nearly four decades. With practical experience and a doctorate from University of California, Berkeley, he has combined research and operations in his career. After serving as Public Safety Commissioner of Atlanta, Georgia, he was appointed in 1982 as the first African-American police chief in Houston, Texas, where he implemented techniques in community policing to reduce crime.

Background and education

His parents, Andrew and Zelma Brown were sharecroppers in Oklahoma, and Lee Brown was born in Wewoka. His family, including five brothers and one sister, moved to California in the second wave of the Great Migration and his parents continued as farmers. A high school athlete, Brown earned a football scholarship to Fresno State University, where he earned a B.S. in criminology in 1960. That year he started as a police officer in San Jose, California, where he served for eight years. Brown was elected as the president of the San Jose Police Officers' Association (union) and served from 1965 to 1966.

Brown went on to earn a master's degree in sociology from San José State University in 1964, and became an assistant professor there in 1968. He also earned a second master's degree in criminology from University of California, Berkeley in 1968. In the same year, he moved to Portland, Oregon, where he established and served as chairman of the Department of Administration of Justice at Portland State University.

Career

In 1972, Brown was appointed associate director of the Institute of Urban Affairs and Research and professor of Public Administration and director of Criminal Justice programs at Howard University. In 1974, Brown was named Sheriff of Multnomah County, Oregon and in 1976 became director of the Department of Justice Services.

Police management

In 1978, he was appointed Public Safety Commissioner of Atlanta, Georgia, serving to 1982. Brown and his staff oversaw investigation of the Atlanta Child Murders case and increased efforts to provide safety in black areas of the city during the period when murders were committed. A critical element of reform during Brown's tenure was increasing diversity of the police force. By the time Brown resigned to accept the top police job in Houston, Atlanta's police force was 20 percent black.

Police chief - Houston

In 1982, Brown was the first African American to be appointed as Police Chief to the City of Houston, serving until 1990. He was first appointed by Mayor Kathy Whitmire. The Houston Police Department seemed to be in constant turmoil and badly needed reform. According to one of Brown's colleagues at Atlanta, ... "Everybody knows Lee likes challenges and anyone who knows about the Houston Police Department knows it's one helluva challenge." After coming to Houston, Brown quickly began to implement methods of community policing, building relationships with the city's diverse communities.

The Houston Police Officers Union (HPOU) recently published a history describing in more detail how Brown's reforms were implemented and how it became accepted by the officers as well as the communities they served over a period of years. Initially, the officers were unimpressed by what Brown termed Neighborhood-Oriented Policing (NOP). Old-time officers saw it as simply reverting to a long-discredited policy of "walking a beat," and claimed the acronym meant "never on patrol."

Brown and his staff divided the city into 23 identifiable "neighborhoods." Each neighborhood had a small informal office, located in a storefront, where people from the neighborhood were invited to come in and discuss their concerns or problems with one of the officers that served there. Brown emphasized through his officer training sessions that getting feedback from the public was as important as writing up tickets or doing paperwork chores. The neighborhood officers soon recognized the hot spots and the neighborhood "movers and shakers" who could be helpful in preventing problems.

Brown was credited with getting more police officers into the neighborhoods during his tenure. Relations between the residents and the police were far better than ever before, with residents becoming willing to work with the police implementing various activities. He was quoted as saying that sixty percent of all cities in the U.S. had adopted some form of NOP by the time he stepped down as Houston's chief.

Police Commissioner - New York City

In December 1989 Brown was named by Mayor David Dinkins as Police Commissioner of New York City, the first non-New Yorker appointed in a quarter of a century as head of the nation's largest police force. In January 1990, he took over a police force that was seven times the size of Houston's, with "a complex organization of more than 26,000 officers" and a 346-member executive corps of officers at the rank of captain and above. At the time, the force was 75% white; there were issues of perception of police justice and sensitivity in a city with a population estimated to be half minorities: black, Hispanic and Asian.

Brown implemented community policing citywide, which reportedly quadrupled the number of police officers on foot patrol and had a goal of creating a partnership between the police and citizens. The fact that reported crimes were 6.7 percent lower for the first four months of 1992, compared to the previous year, indicated that Brown's program was having a positive effect, according to the Treadwell article.

On the other hand, according to Treadwell, the police department was being criticized for the alleged ineffectiveness of its internal affairs division in the wake of allegations of drug dealing and bribery by some officers. Dinkins had appointed a five-member panel to investigate the corruption allegations, and had asked the City Council to establish an all-civilian review board to look at charges of police brutality. Brown was already on record as opposing both actions. Both Brown and Dinkins took great pains to assure reporters that the policy disagreement played no role in Brown's decision to leave.

Brown submitted his resignation from the New York City position effective September 1, 1992. He and Mayor Dinkins held a joint news conference to explain the reason for his sudden departure. Brown stated that he was leaving to care for his wife, who was ill, and to rejoin the rest of his family, who were still in Houston. He added that he had accepted a college teaching position in Houston.

In 1993, Brown was appointed by President Bill Clinton as his Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP, or "Drug Czar"), and moved to Washington, DC. The Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment.

Mayor of Houston

In the late 1990s, Brown returned to Houston and entered politics directly, running for mayor. In 1997, Brown became the first African American elected as mayor of Houston. During Brown's administration, the city invested extensively in infrastructure: it started the first 7.5-mile leg of its light-rail system and obtained voter approval for an extension, along with increases in bus service, park and ride facilities and HOV lanes. It opened three new professional sports facilities, attracting visitors to the city. It revitalized the downtown area: constructing the city's first convention center hotel, doubling the size of the convention center; and constructing the Hobby Center of the Performing Arts. In addition, it built and renovated new libraries, police and fire stations. Brown initiated a $2.9 billion development program at the city's airport, which consisted of new terminals and runways; and a consolidated rental car facility; in addition to renovating other terminals and runways, he built a new water treatment plant.

Brown also advanced the city's affirmative action program; installed programs in city libraries to provide access to the Internet; built the state-of-the-art Houston Emergency Communications Center; implemented e-government, and opened new parks. Brown led trade missions for the business community to other countries and promoted international trade. He increased the number of foreign consulates.

2001 election campaign

Brown undertook a massive program to reconstruct the downtown street system and replace the aging underground utility system. The accompanying traffic problems was made a campaign issue by his opponent, three-term city councilman Orlando Sanchez in the 2001 election campaign. In 2001 Brown narrowly survived the reelection challenge and runoff against Sanchez, a Cuban-born man who grew up in Houston. The election characterized by especially high voter turnout in both black and Hispanic districts.

Sanchez' supporters highlighted poor street conditions, campaigning that the "P stands for Pothole," referring to Brown's middle initial. Sanchez drove a Hummer as his campaign vehicle during this period, which was adorned with the banner, "With Brown in Town it's the only way to get around."

Following the death of Houston Fire Captain Jay Janhke in the line of duty, Sanchez gained endorsements from the fire/emergency medical services sector. Brown changed Fire Department policy on staffing as a result of the captain's death.

The Brown-Sanchez election attracted involvement from several national political figures, who contributed to its rhetoric. Brown was endorsed by former Democratic president Bill Clinton while Sanchez was endorsed by then-President George W. Bush, former President George H. W. Bush and his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush; Rudy Giuliani and a host of other Republicans. Some members of the President's cabinet campaigned for Sanchez in Houston.

The contest had ethnic undertones as Sanchez, a Cuban American, was vying to become the first Hispanic mayor of Houston; he challenged Brown, who was the city's first African-American mayor. According to the U.S. Census 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 49.3% White (including Hispanic or Latino), 25.3% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 5.3% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 16.5% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. 37% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Voting split along racial and political party lines, with a majority of African Americans and Asians (largely Democrats) supporting Brown, and a majority of Hispanic and Anglo voters (largely Republicans) supporting Sanchez. Brown had 43% in the first round of voting, and Sanchez 40%, which resulted in their competing in a run-off. Chris Bell received 16% of the ballots cast in the first round. Brown narrowly won reelection by a margin of three percentage points following heavy voter turnout in predominantly Black precincts, compared to relatively light turnout in Hispanic precincts, although Hispanic voting in the runoff election was much higher than previously.

Brown's 2001 reelection was one of the last major political campaigns supported by the Houston-based Enron Corporation, which collapsed in a financial scandal days after the election.

Electoral history

1997

1999

2001

Marriage and family

Brown has been married twice. His first wife, Yvonne Brown, died of cancer after they had four children together. He is married to Frances Young, a teacher in the Houston Independent School District.

Legacy and honors

• 2004 - The Metropolitan Transit Authority Administration Building, headquarters of Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, was named for Brown to honor his work in transportation, police protection, education and revitalization of the city.
• 2005 – The Houston in Harmony mural in honor of Mayor Lee P. Brown was moved March 23, 2005, to the Lee P. Brown Metropolitan Transit Authority Administration Building at the request of the Honey Brown Hope Foundation, where it is on permanent display.
• 1999 – Honey Brown Hope Foundation commissioned a mural, Houston in Harmony, in honor of Mayor Lee P. Brown's work in diversity; it was displayed at the City Hall Annex during his tenure, to 2003.
• 1993 – Gallup Hall of Fame by Gallup, Inc.
• 1992 – Cartier Pasha Award from Cartier International
• 1991 – Father of the Year by the National Father's Day Committee

Publications

• Co-author of Police and Society; An Environment for Collaboration and Confrontation
• Author of Policing in the 21st Century: Community Policing, 2012.
• Growing up to be Mayor. Dr. Lee P. Brown. BGI Press. 2013.

See also

• History of African Americans in Houston

Notes

1. The appointment was controversial, with the president of the Houston Police Officer Association claiming that he was "shocked and surprised" by the mayor's choice and suggested that she had appointed Brown just because he was black. Brown was also the first outsider to be nominated for that position since 1941.
2. The Justice Department had already ranked the Houston Police Department as the third worst in the nation, trailing only Philadelphia and Memphis.
3. The Hispanic and Black communities comprised 45 percent of the total Houston population, but only 8 percent of the police force.

References

1. Cheam, Bunthay (April 8, 2007). "Lee P. Brown (1937- ) •". Retrieved December 15, 2024.
2. "Office of National Drug Control Policy Dr. Lee P. Brown." Archived September 19, 2018, at the Wayback Machine Accessed November 1, 2016.
3. ^ Stuart, Reginald. "Atlanta Commissioner gets police chief job in Houston." New York Times. March 10, 1982 Accessed January 13, 2013.
4. Rhoden, William C., Michael Wright and Caroline Rand Herron. "The Nation in Summary; Houston Police Get a New Chief." New York Times March 28, 1982. Accessed October 29, 2016.
5. ^ Todd S. Purdum, "Dinkins Names Houston's Chief To Be His Police Commissioner", New York Times, December 19, 1989, accessed September 23, 2015
6. ^ Kennedy, Tom. "HPD History: Chief Lee Brown laid the strong foundation for HPD’s Strong community liaison practices with all communities." Houston Police Officers Union. September 2016. Archived October 29, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Accessed January 13, 2017.
7. ^ Treadwell, David. "N. Y. Police Chief Resigns Amid Probe : Commissioner: The head of the 29,000-member force cites 'personal reasons,' and not a dispute with the mayor over a review panel." New York Times. August 4, 1992. (Corrected January 13, 2017).
8. ^ HELEN ERIKSEN, "Fort Bend group lauds former Houston mayor for public service", Houston Chronicle, March 31, 2005
9. ^ "Dr. Lee Brown Speaks At Celebration For Rev. John Edwards." Chattanooga.com July 15, 2009. Accessed January 13, 2017.
10. Ayres, R. Drummond, Jr. "Voters on Tuesday Will Choose Mayors in Houston, Atlanta, Seattle and Miami." New York Times. November 4, 2001. Accessed January 13, 2017.
11. Williams, John (October 24, 2001). "Firefighter's death stokes mayoral race". chron.com. Hearst. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
13. "Cumulative Report — Official Returns Harris County, Texas — Joint Elections — November 06, 2001" (PDF). cclerk.hctx.net/. Harris County Clerk's Office. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
14. Yardley, Jim (November 7, 2001). "Heading Toward a Runoff". The New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
15. "1999 Houston Election" (PDF). City of Houston. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
16. "2001 Houston Election" (PDF). City of Houston. Retrieved August 13, 2008.

External links

• Brown, Lee and Jane Ely. Lee Brown Oral History Archived November 16, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Houston Oral History Project, October 31, 2007.
• HELEN ERIKSEN, "Fort Bend group lauds former Houston mayor for public service", Houston Chronicle, March 31, 2005.
• Guide to the Dr. Lee P. Brown professional papers, 1954-2013 (Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA)
• Kennedy, Tom. "HPD History: Chief Lee Brown laid the strong foundation for HPD’s Strong community liaison practices with all communities." Houston Police Officers Union. September 2016. Archived October 29, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Accessed October 29, 2016.
• Appearances on C-SPAN

v t e Directors of National Drug Control Policy
SAODAP Directors (1971–1975)	Jaffe DuPont
ODAP Directors (1977–1989)	Bourne Dogoloff Turner Macdonald
ONDCP Directors (1989–present)	Bennett Martinez Walters (acting) Brown McCaffrey Jurith (acting) Walters Jurith (acting) Kerlikowske Botticelli Chester (acting) Baum (acting) Carroll LaBelle (acting) Gupta

v t e Cabinet of President Bill Clinton (1993–2001)
Cabinet Vice President Al Gore (1993–2001) tenure Secretary of State Warren Christopher (1993–1997) Madeleine Albright (1997–2001) Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd Bentsen (1993–1994) Robert Rubin (1995–1999) Lawrence Summers (1999–2001) Secretary of Defense Les Aspin (1993–1994) William J. Perry (1994–1997) William Cohen (1997–2001) Attorney General Janet Reno (1993–2001) Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt (1993–2001) Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy (1993–1994) Dan Glickman (1995–2001) Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown (1993–1996) Mickey Kantor (1996–1997) William M. Daley (1997–2000) Norman Mineta (2000–2001) Secretary of Labor Robert Reich (1993–1997) Alexis Herman (1997–2001) Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala (1993–2001) Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros (1993–1997) Andrew Cuomo (1997–2001) Secretary of Transportation Federico Peña (1993–1997) Rodney E. Slater (1997–2001) Secretary of Energy Hazel R. O'Leary (1993–1997) Federico Peña (1997–1998) Bill Richardson (1998–2001) Secretary of Education Richard Riley (1993–2001) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown (1993–1997) Togo D. West Jr. (1998–2000)
Cabinet-level Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Carol Browner (1993–2001) Director of the Office of Management and Budget Leon Panetta (1993–1994) Alice Rivlin (1994–1996) Franklin Raines (1996–1998) Jack Lew (1998–2001) Director of Central Intelligence John M. Deutch (1995–1996) George Tenet (1996–2001) Trade Representative Mickey Kantor (1993–1996) Charlene Barshefsky (1996–2001) Ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright (1993–1997) Bill Richardson (1997–1998) Richard Holbrooke (1999–2001) Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Laura Tyson (1993–1995) Joseph Stiglitz (1995–1997) Janet Yellen (1997–1999) Martin Neil Baily (1999–2001) Administrator of the Small Business Administration Philip Lader (1994–1997) Aida Álvarez (1997–2001) Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency James Lee Witt (1993–2001)* Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Lee P. Brown (1993–1996) Barry McCaffrey (1996–2001) White House Chief of Staff Mack McLarty (1993–1994) Leon Panetta (1994–1997) Erskine Bowles (1997–1998) John Podesta (1998–2001) * took office in 1993, raised to cabinet-rank in 1996

• 1937 births
• Living people
• 20th-century African-American academics
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• 20th-century mayors of places in Texas
• 21st-century African-American academics
• 21st-century African-American politicians
• 21st-century mayors of places in Texas
• African-American mayors in Texas
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• Portland State University faculty
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