Rodney K. Harrison

Rodney K. Harrison (born February 25, 1969) is an American police officer and administrator who recently served as the Police Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department. He previously served in the New York City Police Department where he achieved the highest uniform rank, Chief of department.

Harrison began his career with the NYPD as a cadet in 1991. He was then appointed to Police Officer on June 30, 1992. Harrison was assigned as an undercover in the Narcotics Division, and in 1995 he was promoted to detective. In 2003, Harrison was awarded the Police Combat Cross for his bravery in a police-involved shooting with an armed subject.

Harrison has served in various capacities and had the privilege of being named the Commanding Officer of the 28th and 32nd Precincts in Harlem. In 2014 he was selected by then Commissioner Bratton to be second-in-command in Staten Island following the Eric Garner incident. It was stated that Harrison was widely known for his crime-fighting strategies as well as for building strong relationships with the community. Harrison was promoted to Chief of Patrol where he oversaw the implementation of the Neighborhood Policing Program.

In December 2019, Harrison was given the honor of being named the first black Chief of Detectives in the NYPD'S 175-year history, a decision based on his extensive experience in investigations and patrol functions. During his tenure in this position, he helped lead the department through the challenges of COVID and the George Floyd protest, while fighting to keep crime down.

In 2021, Harrison was promoted to Chief of department, where he was the highest-ranking uniform member of the department. Harrison announced his retirement from the NYPD in November 2021.

On December 21, 2021, it was announced that Harrison was nominated to be the Police Commissioner of Suffolk County. He was unanimously approved by the Suffolk County Legislature. Harrison became the first black Police Commissioner in the Department's history.

Early life
Harrison grew up in the South Jamaica section of Queens and joined the NYPD in 1991 as a police cadet. He attended Benjamin N Cardozo High School. Harrison was sworn in as a police officer in the June 30, 1992 midnight class. The class was sworn in one second into July 1 because the New York City fiscal budget begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Harrison graduated from the NYC Police Academy on January 12, 1993. After graduating, he patrolled the 114th Precinct in Astoria, Queens.

Suffolk County Police Department
In December 2021, Suffolk County Executive, Steve Bellone nominated Harrison to be the county's police commissioner. Harrison retired from the NYPD after a 30-year career as a result. On December 23, 2021, Suffolk County's legislature unanimously confirmed Harrison's nomination and thus cleared the path for his appointment. Harrison was sworn in as the Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

New York City Police Department
In December 2019, Harrison was promoted to the position of the Chief of Detectives – the first black person to hold the role since the New York City Police Department's founding 200 years prior.

Dates of rank
Sworn in as a Patrolman - 07/01/1992 Promoted to Detective - 1995  Promoted to Sergeant - 1996  Promoted to Lieutenant - 2002  Promoted to Captain - 2007  Promoted to Deputy Inspector - 2011  Promoted to Inspector - 2013  Promoted to Deputy Chief - 2016  Promoted to Chief of Patrol - 2018  Promoted to Chief of Detectives - 2019  Chief of Department - 2021