NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The NYPD's Chief of Department, Rodney Harrison, will retire at the end of this year, Commissioner Dermot Shea announced Thursday.
A native of Jamaica, Queens, Harrison joined the NYPD in 1991 as a cadet and became the first person to rise from the cadet rank to Chief of Department, serving in that role since early 2021.
Harrison moved through the ranks from his cadet role to a police officer in 1992, patrolling the 114th Precinct in Astoria, later working as an executive officer in the 47th Precinct and as a commanding officer in the 28th and 32nd precincts.
He was appointed as chief of patrol in 2018 and became the Chief of Detectives in December 2019 — the first African American to hold the title its history, according to the NYPD.
“Rodney has been not only a trusted advisor, and friend, but exactly the kind of innovative leader our city and our department has needed in these challenging times,” Shea said in a statement.
As Chief of Department, Harrison oversaw CompStat, directed and coordinated recovery efforts after last year's Black Lives Matter protests and "coordinated with community leaders to improve relationships while the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak continued to impact residents of this city."
The Harrison family has deep ties to the NYPD, the department noted. His wife is a retired NYPD lieutenant, and their two daughters, Amber and Tyra, were recently sworn in as officers.
“I’m extremely proud to have worked tirelessly, over my entire career, protecting people and giving back to the city’s communities,” Harrison said in a statement. “It’s been an honor to be a part of this great police department, to carry out our intelligence-driven policing strategies, to help develop several lasting reforms, and to build meaningful dialogue with our city’s young people. And I am privileged that two of my children will carry on this important work.”
Shea noted the barrier-breaker's long tenure with the department, adding that Harrison has shown "tremendous valor."
"He has performed in every rank – from patrol officer, to undercover officer displaying tremendous valor, to Chief of Department – with knowledge, skill, integrity, and a great passion for our continuing mission to always protect life and property and to build lasting relationships with those we serve. We will miss him, but we wish him well," he said.
Harrison is set to retire on Dec. 30.