Trail-Blazing Brooklyn Police Officers Make History As First African-American Females To Lead Precinct
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- It's a first for the New York Police Department.
Two African-American women are now serving as the top cops of the 81st Precinct, located in Bedford Stuyvesant.
Deputy Inspector Juanita Holmes was made the commander of the precinct one year ago and last week, Captain Vanessa Kight came aboard as her executive officer.
"I really haven't had a tough time as a result of being a woman because I think once you're in a command and you pretty much establish yourself as being a crime fighter for the community, people recognize that," Holmes told 1010 WINS' Stan Brooks.
1010 WINS' Stan Brooks Speaks With Deputy Inspector Juanita Holmes
Podcast
When asked by Brooks if she had incurred any problems with the male officers of her team, she answered "I don't believe so."
"I don't feel that. I don't feel that at all," Holmes said.
Holmes also said that Kight was "getting acclimated in the command."
"I guess the personnel is getting acclimated with seeing two females and hopefully, we're able to do a successful job," Holmes said.
This is the first time in the NYPD's history that two black women are in charge of a precinct. So how does Holmes feel about making history?
"I never thought about it, I was just...just give me someone who can help me do the job, you know? But it is an honor to be part of history, it really, really is," she said.
