Syracuse Police Officer Brandon Hanks

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSVajIQ97jY

  • Syracuse Police Officer Brandon Joseph Hanks was sworn into the Syracuse Police Department in 2016.
  • Officer Hanks is very involved in the local community and wants local youth to feel comfortable approaching him and trusting him.
  • In 2019 Hanks earned national attention by challenging local youth to one on one basketball games in exchange for a pair of sneakers. His videos of the games played in local City of Syracuse parks went viral.  Hanks even garnered the attention of and a sneaker donation from Los Angeles Laker player Rajon Rondo.  Officer Hank’s goal with his “pull up challenge” was to show positive interaction between the police and community.
  • In January of 2020 Hanks participated in the Manny Breland SCDS Empowerment Conference to help assist current City of Syracuse student athletes.
  • In September of 2020 Hanks was awarded the Syracuse Police Departmental Commendation and in
  • December of 2020, he received the Mayor’s Achievement Medal for his prioritization of community involvement and trust building local community.
  • Also, in 2020 Hanks was awarded the 2020 A. Philip Randolph CNY Union Award at the NAACP’s 41st Annual Freedom Fund Dinner.
  • Officer Hanks is a lifetime resident of Syracuse, NY and grew up on the South Side of Syracuse. During his youth, Hanks attended programs at the Hamilton St. Boys and Girls Club and Southwest Community Center.
  • Brandon graduated from Henninger high school in 2010 where he was a three-sport athlete. His basketball team won the Section III Championship in 2008.
  • He went on to play college basketball for SUNY Morrisville where he graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. At Morrisville, Brandon was a four-year starter for the Mustangs at point guard and played a key role in the programs most historical run in the decade.  Brandon wrapped up his career as one of a handful of 1000-point scorers in program history, while appearing in three NCAA Tournaments after claiming three straight Northeastern Athletic Conference titles. Hanks was as successful off the court as well, earning Dean's List honors during his time in the Mustang uniform.
  • Most recently, Brandon became Assistant Basketball Coach for the Cicero North Syracuse School boys’ varsity basketball team. Officer Hanks was sworn in as a Syracuse Police Officer in 2016.