NEW YORK â Two female African American police officers have made history by becoming the first top cops to command a city precinct.
Deputy Inspector Juanita Holmes and Capt. Vanessa Kight are now the top cops at Brooklyn’s 81st Precinct in Bedford-Stuyvestant.
Women comprise 17.2% of uniformed officers in the NYPD. African-Americans make up 16.5% of the uniformed force, with 5.6% being women.
The New York Daily News reports:
“When I got the call, I was really quite surprised to learn I was making history. I was just looking for someone to do the job,” Holmes said of Kight’s appointment. “I’m very grateful to have her.”
Holmes, one of just three African-American female deputy inspectors on the force, was made commander of the 81st Precinct stationhouse in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, a year ago. She celebrated her 24th anniversary with the NYPD yesterday.
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