Benjamin Ward facts for kids

Benjamin Ward (born August 10, 1926 – died June 10, 2002) was a very important person in New York City history. He made history by becoming the first African American to be the New York City Police Commissioner. This means he was the top leader of the police department in New York City.

Early Life and Education

Benjamin Ward grew up in Brooklyn, in a neighborhood called Weeksville. He was one of 11 children in his family. He went to Brooklyn Automotive Trades High School and finished in 1944.

After high school, he joined the Army. He worked as a military policeman and a criminal investigator in Europe for two years. This experience likely helped him later in his career.

Joining the NYPD

On June 1, 1951, Ward joined the NYPD as a patrolman. He was the first Black officer assigned to Brooklyn's 80th Precinct. This was a challenging time for him. Some white residents and even some fellow white police officers were not welcoming. For three years, he didn't even have a locker at the precinct. This meant he had to get dressed at home and ride the New York City Subway to work in his uniform.

Rising Through the Ranks

Despite these challenges, Benjamin Ward worked hard and moved up quickly in the police force. Over the next 15 years, he became a lieutenant. He worked in many different parts of the NYPD, including the Patrol Division and the Detective Division.

He also studied a lot after work. He earned degrees from Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Law School, often with top grades. These studies helped him become a special legal advisor to Police Commissioner Howard R. Leary.

In 1966, Ward left his uniformed role to become the executive director of the NYPD's Civilian Complaint Review Board. This board helps review complaints from the public about police officers. Two years later, he became a Deputy Police Commissioner of Trials. In this role, he was the main person in charge of hearings for police officers facing disciplinary issues. Later, he became the Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs. This job involved working with the Youth Aid Division and other community groups.

Leading the Police Department

Benjamin Ward continued to take on important leadership roles in New York City. In 1973, Mayor John V. Lindsay made him the Traffic Commissioner. Under his leadership, special traffic controllers took over street duties. This freed up many police officers to focus on other important police work. The next year, he led the Criminal Justice Agency, which helps evaluate people's risk for bail.

In 1976, Mayor Ed Koch appointed Ward to lead the New York City Housing Authority. This agency helps manage public housing. On August 13, 1979, he was chosen to run the New York City Department of Corrections, which oversees the city's jails. He served as commissioner there until December 31, 1983.

On January 5, 1984, Benjamin Ward made history. Mayor Koch swore him in as the 34th New York City Police Commissioner. He was the first African American to hold this very important position. He led the nation's largest police department during a time of change for the city.

Life After Retirement

Benjamin Ward retired as the NYC Police Commissioner on October 22, 1989. Even after retiring, he stayed active. He taught at different colleges, including Brooklyn Law School and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He also served on various boards, sharing his knowledge and experience.

His personal papers, which are like a collection of his important documents, are kept at the Lloyd Sealy Library Special Collections at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Death

Benjamin Ward passed away on June 10, 2002, at the age of 75. He is remembered as a pioneering leader who broke barriers and served the people of New York City for many years.