First black woman borough commander returns to NYPD

Assistant Chief Juanita Homes. Photo via Twitter.

By Noah Singer

Juanita Holmes, the first black woman to run a borough command, has returned to serve in the NYPD Chief of Patrol’s office after less than a year of retirement. 

The 55-year-old NYPD leader previously retired as head of Patrol Borough Queens North in Dec. 2018 in order to take up a job as Global Director of Security at bank BNY Mellon. She was succeeded by Assistant Chief Martin Morales. Holmes had worked as a police officer since 1987, according to the Daily News. 

Holmes returned to the force by taking advantage of an NYPD rule that gives retired police one year to decide to rejoin the department. She is beginning her 33rd year in uniform.

Then-Commissioner James O’Neill praised Holmes at the time of her retirement. 

“Her efforts have strengthened trust and relationships between police and communities around the five boroughs,” he said. “She has inspired many of our members with her achievements, and I commend her unwavering dedication to our mission of fighting crime and keeping people safe.”