MAHOPAC – A law enforcement expert believes that the skills Christopher Harrigan developed during his career as a federal immigration agent will prove valuable in leading the Mahopac School Board.
Harrigan, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, was elected president of the school board this week by a 5-4 vote. Earlier this year, a group calling itself People’s Immigrant Coalition unsuccessfully attempted to have Harrigan removed from the school board.
“If his detractors can remove their emotion and look at this objectively, what you have is a person who’s spent years as an ICE agent, has operated under real oversight, high pressure, and real consequences,” said Michael Alcazar, an Adjunct Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
“That kind of experience builds discipline and accountability, which are two things school boards always need more of,” added Alcazar, who spent 30 years in the NYPD, retiring as a detective. “In my years in law enforcement and now teaching at John Jay College, I’ve personally seen how that type of experience can translate into steadier decision-making. You don’t have to agree or like his career in ICE to recognize that experience like his tends to sharpen a person’s sense of responsibility.”
Harrigan has spent close to 20 years in the law enforcement field and has volunteered as a firefighter/EMT, Cub Scout leader, and Mahopac youth sports coach.
“Having served alongside Chris for several years, I can tell you he genuinely cares about every student in our district,” said Putnam County Legislative candidate Tanner McCracken, who previously served on the Mahopac School Board with Harrigan. “Those protesting him because of his profession probably haven’t watched a single Board meeting. If they had, they’d see a thoughtful public servant who listens to every perspective, finds common ground, and has often helped bring the Board to consensus. Those are exactly the qualities you want in a board president.”
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