Taylor is the highest-ranking religious member of the NYPD and Commanding Officer of the Department’s Community Outreach Division
Last Friday had special significance in Queens for the Jewish community in particular, as Deputy Chief Richard S. Taylor was awarded a well-deserved promotion to the third-highest position in the NYPD for his “excellence,” said Hon. Edward A. Caban, NYPD’s Commissioner. Taylor, known in the Jewish community as Yechiel, is recognized as the “ultimate NYPD ambassador,” and has successfully built bridges both in times of celebration and in times of turbulence. At the Friday program, held at the Police Academy in College Point, Caban noted how the Deputy Chief outshines his peers in always answering his calls, deserving of the title “real mentch.”
I attended the Promotion Ceremony on behalf of Queens Shmira at the request of the Deputy Chief, who has become a recognized face in Queens, and throughout the city as a whole. Taylor has aided in various community happenings, most notably the Queens Asifah held in support of Eretz Yisrael amongst various other initiatives. Taylor also single-handedly coordinated a Simchas Torah video call with top NYPD brass as the devastating news from Eretz Yisrael spread on October 7.
Taylor, 41, is the youngest Deputy Chief at the NYPD, serving alongside roughly 100 other deputy chiefs, assistant chiefs, and chiefs for the Department’s 33,000 sworn members. Worldwide, Taylor holds the highest police title for a religious Jew outside of Eretz Yisrael.
Queens holds a special place in Taylor’s heart, having served as a devoted member at Hatzolah of Queens and Great Neck in one of his first roles in volunteerism. His efforts on behalf of the organization placed him as one of the very first responders in Lower Manhattan on 9/11 as the Towers still stood, marking Hatzalah’s vital lifesavings efforts on that fateful day. Coordinator Sruly Lowy was present at Friday’s ceremony, acknowledging Taylor’s tremendous mark as the highest ranking frum officer in the Police Department.
As a youngster, Taylor attended the Yeshiva of Manhattan Beach in the neighborhood where he was raised, after convincing his parents to take him out of public school. At just 15 years of age, Taylor served as a Police Explorer in the 61st Precinct, where he later worked as a uniformed officer. In July 2005, Taylor began his career on patrol in the 67 Precinct.
Taylor’s rise to the top continued through patrol service in the 1, 61, 63, and 88 Precincts in Brooklyn South, Police Service Areas 1 (Brooklyn South) and 5 (East Harlem), the Community Affairs Bureau, Patrol Borough Manhattan South (PBMS), PBMS Investigations Unit, and Community Outreach Division where he grew entitle from Sergeant (2010), Lieutenant (2014), Captain (2016), Deputy Inspector (2020), Inspector (2021), and of course this historic promotion. Taylor has also commanded the PBMS Investigations Unit and was Executive Officer of 1 Precinct, and Community Affairs Bureau Adjutant. Following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in the Rockaways, Taylor held a role with the New York City Office of Emergency Management, coordinating vital resources with all levels of government.
Deputy Chief Taylor, a graduate of Touro University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, epitomizes the NYPD’s mission of always serving with courtesy, professionalism, and respect in all his interactions citywide while always being a bastion for the Jewish community he proudly represents with his yarmulke adorned atop his distinguished attire.
Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, who served as Taylor’s superior over the years, called him the “consummate professional.” Mark Stewart, Deputy Commissioner at the Community Affairs Unit where Taylor serves, noted that he is out on the streets at all hours making the city a better place for us all to live. Chief of Transit Michael Kemper expressed that the honor was well-earned for Taylor’s dedication to the community. Taylor often hits all five boroughs each day, treating all he encounters with respect and warmth as he focuses on teamwork to accomplish vital tasks.
Dignitaries at the ceremony that promoted some 230 officers included Menashe Shapiro, Deputy Chief of Staff; Joel Eisdorfer, Senior Advisor to the Mayor; Moshe Davis, Senior Jewish Liaison, Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit; Chanina Sperlin, Chabad; R’ Abe Friedman, Satmar; R’ Mendy Mirocznik, COJO; Kalman Yeger, NYC Council Member; Pesach Osina, Jewish Liaison to NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams; NYPD Clergy Liaison David Heskiel.
I encourage all to watch Taylor’s exclusive interview with Yaakov Langer on the Living L’Chaim Podcast recorded several months ago.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
Community Outreach Coordinator, Queens Shmira
