Juanita Holmes was appointed as the first female chief of patrol of the New York Police Department (NYPD) . She is also the first African-American woman to head NYPD which is considered to be the largest police force in the United States. As per CNN, Holmes’ appointment as the chief of patrol also makes her the highest-ranking African-American woman in the history of NYPD. She has also achieved the status of being the highest-ranking uniformed woman ever. This promotion has also put her on track to potentially become NYPD’s next police commissioner.
Who is Juanita Holmes?
Juanita Holmes has over 30 years of experience with the NYPD. Notably, sixteen members of her immediate family are also a part of the police force. She started her career as a patrol officer in 1987. Consequently, Holmes held positions of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy inspector, inspector, and deputy chief. In 2016, she became the first African-American woman to serve as borough commander in the role of assistant chief.
In addition to these achievements, Holmes oversaw NYPD’s School Safety Division. She also commanded both the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Training and the Domestic Violence Unit.
Juanita Holmes Makes History
Holmes will be taking over from outgoing Chief Fauto Pichardo, who abruptly announced his retirement earlier this month. Holmes’ historic appointment as chief of patrol has been appreciated by many. While announcing Holmes’ promotion, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea described her as “a complete package” who has “walked the walk” and talked the talk. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also referred to Holmes as “not just an historic choice” but “the right choice.” Patrick J. Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, hailed Holmes’ appointment and said, “Chief Holmes' entire family embodies the NYPD's proudest traditions, so she understands better than anybody how our work and traditions are being undermined and attacked.”
Holmes has stipulated that she plans to lead with “equality, fairness, transparency” as the chief of patrol. Elaborating upon her plans to strengthen the NYPD's community engagement, she said, "People want to be heard, and we're there to listen to them, but they have to play an intricate part in crime reduction as well as improving quality of life.”
Picture Credits: New York Post
Tarini Gandhiok is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.
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