The New York City Police Department has appointed its first-ever black chief of detectives, a historic move in the organization’s nearly 200-year record.
Rodney Harrison was appointed to the position Wednesday, according to an NYPD press release. Harrison formerly served as chief of patrol, where he managed police communities across New York City. In the new position, Harrison will manage the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes, according to the Wednesday news release.
Harrison will replace Dermot Shea, who was named the New York City Police Commissioner this month.
The new chief joined the NYPD as a cadet in 1991 and became a detective in 1995. He also formerly served as the chief of detectives of Brooklyn North.
“I’m humbled to become Chief of Detectives, a position I’ve always strived for and will work tirelessly to build the strongest possible cases and bring those that commit crimes to justice,” Harrison said in a statement, CNN reported.
Harrison will be replaced by Fausto Pichardo, who formerly served as the Executive Officer of the Patrol Services Bureau.
“Rodney and Fausto bring tremendous leadership experience to their new positions, having served in critical executive roles, and leveraging Neighborhood Policing and precision policing to bring crime down to levels not seen since the 1950s,” Shea said in the Wednesday statement. “However, our work is far from done, and with Rodney’s investigative experience and Fausto’s role in bringing Neighborhood Policing to fruition, we will continue to work closely with the people we are sworn to serve to make New York City even safer.”
