NYC’s Highest-Ranking Black Officers Reflect on Their Journeys

In celebration of Black History Month, three NYPD chiefs opened up about their experiences as the top-ranking black officers in the nation’s largest police department.

Chief Benjamin Gurley, who leads the Bronx, Chief Christopher McIntosh of Queens South, and Chief Aaron Edwards, overseeing Midtown North, shared the complex realities of their leadership roles.

“Growing up in the Bronx, those blue and white cars were everywhere, but nobody really wanted to ride in them,” recalled Gurley, 52, who has three children. His involvement with the Police Athletic League in Hunt Point inspired him to pursue a career in policing.

But when he began his career as a first-generation officer, he quickly noticed a lack of executives who looked like him. “When I started this job in 2000, it felt different. There were some black executives, sure, but definitely not as many as there are today. I never would have imagined becoming a two-star chief,” Gurley said.

He mentioned the difficulty of career advancement, admitting it can be disheartening to put in the effort without seeing results. “If you work hard but watch others move ahead, it can make you want to give up. Luckily, that hasn’t been as common in recent years,” he noted.

Chief McIntosh, who immigrated with his family from Jamaica at nine, currently oversees Queens South, including Jamaica. He explained that when he joined the force in 1998, he was well aware of the limited number of black executives.

“There were so few back then,” he stated. “The difference between then and now is significant.” He faced challenges navigating the system, often seeking advice from those in leadership positions and implementing their suggestions when they seemed relevant.

“I’m really standing on the shoulders of giants,” he remarked.

Chief Edwards took his position in 2003, a time when there was an uptick in the number of black officers. “I was fortunate to compete during that period,” he said, adding that he felt the groundwork had already been laid by many mentors.

He reminisced about a Black History Month event held at One Police Plaza nearly two decades ago, where images of black executives were displayed on a large screen. “I can still picture it, it was inspiring. Seeing 15 or 16 black leaders, either at their desks or leading the meeting, it made me think, ‘One day I’m going to be on that screen myself.’”