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Benjamin Ward ’65 (1926–2002)
Ward was the first Black Police Commissioner of New York City, serving from 1984 to 1989. A BLS Black History Month profile highlights him as “a trailblazer in law enforcement” who rose through the NYPD ranks after starting as a patrolman in 1951, later directing the city’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and serving as Commissioner of Correction before leading the department. His tenure as commissioner emphasized community relations, internal reform, and accountability in policing.
Keywords
Police, Police Commissioner, Black Leaders, Law Enforcement, NYPD, Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Coordinationg Council, Commissioner of Correction