Brownsville Names Angel Figueroa Jr. Police Chief
City Manager Alan Guard appointed Figueroa, a veteran NYPD commander, to lead the Brownsville Police Department.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People
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The city of Brownsville has appointed Angel L. Figueroa, Jr. as its police chief, a selection announced on a Monday afternoon by City Manager Alan Guard. Figueroa will officially assume the role on Monday, Dec. 14.
Why it matters
The appointment places a new leader with more than 20 years of law enforcement experience at the head of the city's police department. Figueroa's stated priority is to listen to residents and understand their needs.
Figueroa currently oversees approximately 2,500 personnel as Deputy Chief and Executive Officer of NYPD Patrol Borough Manhattan South. His career spans more than 20 years in law enforcement.
The players
Angel L. Figueroa, Jr.
Figueroa is a longtime New York Police Department commander who is now Brownsville's police chief, bringing experience from one of the largest police forces in the United States.
Alan Guard
Guard is the City Manager of Brownsville, who made the appointment of the new police chief on behalf of the city.
New York Police Department (NYPD)
The NYPD is the largest municipal police department in the United States and Figueroa's prior employer for more than two decades.
The details
Figueroa previously served as the first Hispanic commanding officer of the NYPD's Times Square Unit, 1st Precinct, and 13th Precinct. He is also an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice.
Timeline
Monday afternoon: City of Brownsville announces Figueroa's appointment.
Monday, Dec. 14: Figueroa officially assumes his role as police chief.
Market Landscape
Figueroa's path from NYPD command to a municipal chief role reflects a pattern of experienced big-city commanders moving into leadership of smaller departments. His academic ties to John Jay College of Criminal Justice connect his career to a major criminal justice education program.
Brownsville residents will see a new police chief take over the department on Dec. 14, with the city indicating a focus on listening to community needs. Changes in department priorities or resources will shape local public safety in the months ahead.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions in local police departments often bring new priorities, and residents can watch for how Figueroa engages with the community after he takes office. Staying informed through city announcements is a practical way to follow those changes.
What happens next
Figueroa officially assumes his role as Brownsville police chief on Monday, Dec. 14.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage for context on leadership appointments like this one.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Valley Central - Valleycentral - Valleycentral.com.
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