NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan announced his retirement Thursday to take on a public safety advisory role as the city looks to recover from the COVID crisis. Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison was selected to take over the Chief of Department position.
"[Harrison] makes that uniform proud...and he is going to make this city proud," Monahan said. "Rodney, you couldn't be a better person for this job. With Rodney taking the helm and Commissioner [Dermot] Shea at the helm the NYPD couldn't be in any better hands."
Harrison is a Queens native and the first Black man to serve as the NYPD's Chief of Detectives.
Harrison said that he wants to continue focusing on community policing, "which is absolutely what this city needs."
"For the men and women of this police department, I want to make sure I make this very clear, I'm going to support you, I want to make sure we get through what was a very difficult time in 2020, but I can reassure everyone here that is listening that I have your back and we will get through this together," Harrison said.
"For the residents of New York City, I'm here to protect you. I'm here to serve you," Harrison went on to say. "I'm going to be knocking on your door, I'm going to be coming to your churches, I'm going to be coming to your community meetings. You may get tired of seeing me, but in order for me to be successful, in order to make this city safe, we have to work together. I'm looking forward to the challenge."