One deputy chief was motivated by the September 11 attacks, while the other follows a family tradition.
Aaron Edwards and Charles Minch were recently appointed as new deputy chiefs of the NYPD during a ceremony at police headquarters in Lower Manhattan, though their journeys to this point have been quite different.
At 45, Edwards was still in college during the tragic events that shook New York City on September 11, 2001. That day profoundly influenced his decision to pursue a career dedicated to public service in the city he loves.
“In September 2001, I was a college student,” Edwards, now the commander of the NYPD’s Manhattan North Patrol District, shared with the Post. “I witnessed the chaos and felt compelled to take one of the academy’s first tests.”
“I saw everyone rushing toward danger,” he continued, reflecting on the heroism of first responders. “It struck me as a selfless act. That’s what drew me to law enforcement. From that moment on, I’ve had a passion for it,” he explained.
The married father of two from Huntington, Louisiana, describes his new role as akin to overseeing a “snapshot of the city.” He views the patrol area—from Central Park to Harlem to Inwood—as a “beautiful mosaic” of New York City.
Edwards joined the police force in July 2003 and has engaged in a variety of roles, ranging from street patrol to drug enforcement, eventually holding management positions during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent immigration issues.
Minch, age 51 and residing in Long Island, previously served as the executive officer for the Brooklyn South Patrol District before his recent promotion. He now commands the same district.
“We took over at a really tough time,” Minch said about his team. “We quickly realized we were confronting a crime issue alongside an immigration crisis, and we did everything necessary to help stabilize the city.”
“Now we’re seeing a decrease in crime. I feel like I played a role in that,” he noted, reflecting on public fears following the pandemic and the gradual return to a sense of normalcy.
Minch also shared his family’s legacy in public service. “My father was a top detective on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, dealing with significant domestic terrorism cases. He’s dedicated 25 years, which adds up to over 52 years of service between us,” he recounted. “I always looked up to him and wanted to follow his path, joined the force as soon as I could.”
With a grandfather who was a firefighter for two decades, he remarked, “That brings our family service total to over 77 years in New York City.” The married father of two adult sons regards his promotion as a career highlight within the NYPD.
The recent promotions coincide with Police Chief Jessica Tisch’s initiative to bolster the department. Last week, she announced plans to recruit 4,000 new officers, a record number, despite warnings from the Police Benevolent Association about a significant number of retirements happening among senior officers.
Edwards and Minch exemplify an approach to ensure new officers have strong veteran leadership.
When asked about the role their families played in their success, both agreed that support at home has been essential. Edwards expressed gratitude for his wife, calling her his “rock.” “None of this would have been possible without her. These positions entail long hours and missing important events, and she takes it all in stride. She’s been my partner throughout my career for 13 years now,” he noted. “It truly starts with her.”
