Retired interim police director and father pins his son at Manhattan promotion ceremony

His father, Steve French, served as interim director of the police department. Retired now, he pinned his son at the ceremony before law board members.

Peete said it was difficult to decide who to promote because there are many qualified candidates.

Ultimately, French’s record of serving in “multiple areas” and his “de-escalation skills” were prominent deciding factors.

French got transferred to investigations in 1999, where he worked until his promotion to sergeant in 2000.

French then worked as the department’s intelligence officer until 2003 when he was reassigned to the patrol division as the north county supervisor.

In 2009, he was promoted to lieutenant of investigations.

Following the lieutenant promotion, Mark French became the internal affairs officer before being named captain Monday.

“I’ve always been told to surround yourself with people who make you better,” French said. “These people that I’m working with now will make me look good, not because of what I do but because of how dedicated they are.”