From the Cathedral to the Precinct: Cardinal Dolan’s New Mission

Elizabeth Chabanov '28

In a historic ceremony at One Police Plaza on Wednesday, March 4th, Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Reverend A.R. Bernard were sworn in as the new NYPD Co-Chief Chaplains. The two stepped into leadership roles following the passing of longtime Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass, who served the department for nearly 60 years.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch presided over the installation, describing the two faith leaders as “Tzadiks”—a Hebrew term for people of extraordinary righteousness. The decision comes as part of a broader initiative to prioritize the mental wellness of officers under the administration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Cardinal Dolan, 76, recently resigned from his role as the Archbishop of New York, which has thenceforth been filled by Archbishop Ronald Hicks. Yet, instead of stepping away from public life entirely, Dolan has chosen to continue his pastoral service in the NYPD.

“I’ve spent years at St. Patrick’s, but some of my most meaningful moments have been with the men and women in blue,” Dolan said. “This isn’t retirement for me, it’s a new beat.”

Dolan shares the title with Rev. A.R. Bernard, the influential founder of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn. Their joint appointment is seen as a strategic effort to represent the city’s diversity.

The Co-Chiefs will oversee approximately a dozen chaplains from different faiths, including Isam and Judaism, offering counseling services and responding to line-of-duty emergencies.

Even though some advocacy groups have voiced concerns about high-profile religious figures in government roles, Commissioner Tisch emphasized that the Chaplain Unit is about “moral clarity and compassion,” not conversion. As the department faces ongoing challenges with recruitment and officer retention, the city is hoping that these two spiritual leaders will provide much-needed stability.