The 'New York Police' in the Movie... First Korean-American Chief Superintendent in 178 Years Emerges

Chief Heo Jeong-yoon of Queens Precinct Promoted After 25 Years
First Korean American Female Officer Appointed to NYPD in 1998

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has appointed its first Korean American Chief Inspector.

On the 18th (local time), the NYPD announced that Deputy Inspector Huh Jung-yoon of the Queens Borough Command in New York City has been nominated for promotion to Chief Inspector. Huh is expected to be officially assigned his new position at the promotion ceremony on the 22nd.

This marks the first time in the 178-year history of the NYPD, established in 1845, that a Korean American has become a Chief Inspector. The NYPD is the largest police organization in the United States, employing 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian staff.

Korean-American Detective Jeongyun Heo, the first to be promoted to the rank of Chief Inspector in the New York Police Department in 178 years.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The NYPD is the largest police organization in the United States, with 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees.

Huh has set several "firsts" within the NYPD. He was appointed in 1998 as the first Korean American female officer in the NYPD. Since then, he has built his career working in Korean American communities in Manhattan and Queens.

In July of last year, a Korean American Captain in the NYPD was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector, marking the first Korean American promotion to Chief Inspector rank. Following that, Huh served as the Commanding Officer of the Investigation Unit at the Patrol Borough Manhattan South (PBMS).

While promotion to Captain in the NYPD can be achieved through examinations, promotions to Deputy Inspector and above require nomination. This means that to become a senior executive in the NYPD, one must not only demonstrate ability but also earn trust within the organization.

Kim Eui-hwan, the Consul General of New York, stated, “The New York Consulate has consistently emphasized to New York City and the NYPD the need for a Korean American Chief Inspector,” adding, “We hope that the appointment of the first Korean American Chief Inspector will also enhance the safety of the Korean American community in New York.”