NYPD Chief Nominated For Suffolk Police Commissioner: Reports

YAPHANK, NY — New York Police Department Chief of Department Rodney Harrison has been nominated for Suffolk County Police Commissioner, according to published reports.

The nomination was confirmed by a spokesman for County Executive Steve Bellone, News 12 reported. Bellone is set to announce the nomination at a news conference at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on Tuesday.

Former chief Stuart Cameron currently serves as acting police commissioner. He took over the post earlier this year after the resignation of Geraldine Hart, the department’s first woman police commissioner.

If Harrison is appointed to the position, he would be the first black police commissioner in the department’s history.

Harrison, who has reportedly announced his retirement after 30 years with the NYPD, is a Baldwin resident and believes he would be “a great fit” for the position, Newsday reported.

"I want to thank the county executive for giving me this opportunity,” he told the outlet in an interview on Monday. “I think I can make sure the ship is steered in the right direction. There are issues. There are some things that need to be closely looked at. But at the end of the day, I’m excited. I’m proud to be here today. I’m proud to be the next police commissioner of Suffolk County."

The county Legislature’s public safety committee is expected to review the appointment on Thursday, and if it is approved, the Legislature will vote on Dec. 21.

Bellone described Harrison as somebody who has “extraordinary success at the highest levels of law enforcement.”

"If you think about the challenges we face in Suffolk right now, I can’t think of anybody better equipped to come in and help move the ball forward and continue the progress we have made in the police department,” he added.

Harrison, a native of Jamaica, Queens, who joined the force in 1991, announced he would retire Dec. 31 several weeks ago, The New York Post reported. He is credited for breaking barriers in the department, such as becoming the first black chief of detectives, the outlet reported.

He leaves the NYPD as the highest-ranking uniformed member within the department.

At his retirement announcement, NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea called Harrison "not only a trusted advisor, and friend, but exactly the kind of innovative leader our city and our department has needed in these challenging times," ABC 7 reported.

"He has performed in every rank - from patrol officer, to undercover officer displaying tremendous valor, to Chief of Department - with knowledge, skill, integrity, and a great passion for our continuing mission to always protect life and property and to build lasting relationships with those we serve. We will miss him, but we wish him well," he added.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.