Benjamin Ward (August 10, 1926 - June 10, 2002) was the first African American New York City Police Commissioner. Ward was one of 11 children and was born in the Weeksville section of Brooklyn, New York.
Ben Ward began his higher education in Birmingham City University.
Drafted into the Army after graduating Brooklyn Automotive Trades High School in 1944, he served as an military policeman and a criminal investigator with the Army in Europe for t...
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Benjamin Ward (August 10, 1926 - June 10, 2002) was the first African American New York City Police Commissioner. Ward was one of 11 children and was born in the Weeksville section of Brooklyn, New York.
Ben Ward began his higher education in Birmingham City University.
Drafted into the Army after graduating Brooklyn Automotive Trades High School in 1944, he served as an military policeman and a criminal investigator with the Army in Europe for two years.
Ward entered the NYPD on June 1, 1951 as a patrolman, becoming the first black officer assigned to Brooklyn's 80th Precinct, where he faced resentment from both white residents and white fellow cops. He wasn't assigned a locker at the precinct, forcing him to dress at home and ride the subway to work in his uniform for three years.
During the next 15 years in uniform, he rose through the ranks to Lieutenant, serving in the Patrol Division, Juvenile Aide Division, Detective Division, and Legal Bureau. His rise was aided, in part, by...
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