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NYPD Names Black Woman As Chief Of Patrol, A First In The 175-Year History Of The Department
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Oct 29, 2020
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NYPD News
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Oct 29, 2020
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NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea announced Juanita Holmes as the new Chief of Patrol on Wednesday, making her the first woman to ever hold the position in the 175-year history of the department, and the highest ranking Black woman on the police force.
Holmes will replace Fausto Pichardo, who abruptly retired earlier this month after less than a year on the job, following tensions with Mayor Bill de Blasio. A 33-year-old veteran of the department, Holmes previously led the NYPD's School Safety Division, before she was promoted to Chief of Collaborative Policing just last month.
During a press conference on Thursday, Mayor de Blasio touted Holmes's appointment as proof of the NYPD's efforts "to break the glass ceiling and provide an opportunity for women to lead that's unprecedented."
The department's top ranks remain overwhelmingly white and male, even as people of color make up the majority of the department's patrol force.
Commissioner Shea described Holmes as a "complete package," who "understands this city [and] the importance of neighborhood policing.”
Holmes was previously a staunch defender of the department's unconstitutional and racist stop-and-frisk policy. Asked about this on Thursday, Holmes suggested there was still a place for the controversial strategy.
"I always say it's 'stop and question,' people often add frisk. There were numerous times it was overly abused, so that I don't support. Is it a valuable investigative tool when used correctly? Yes, when used correctly."
As Chief of Department, Holmes will oversee the majority of the NYPD's uniformed patrol officers. She takes the reins at a time when the department is preparing for potential unrest ahead of next week's presidential election.
Holmes said on Thursday that the department can improve its response to protests, but declined to give specifics. "We took a look at what we did last time, and moving forward we can all get better," she said
Commissioner Shea also appointed five other NYPD commanders to new leadership positions on Thursday. Among the promotions, Transportation Chief Ed Delatorre is moving to the Labor Relations Bureau, and will be replaced by Assistant Chief Kathleen O’Reilly. Sources told the Daily News that Delatorre's relationship with the MTA deteriorated after the agency hired 500 of its own cops. The transit chief hasn't attended an MTA board meeting since last year.
“Each of these commanders has shown exceptional vision in helping to steer the Department through the advancements of the last several years and each uniquely reflects the values and concerns of the citizens we serve," Shea said.
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Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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