The New York Police Department (NYPD) has named its first-ever Korean-American Inspector.
On December 18, the NYPD announced that Deputy Inspector Chungyoon Huh of the Patrol Borough Queens North has been promoted to the rank of Inspector. She will be informed of her next assignment at a promotion ceremony on December 22.
This marks the first time in the NYPD’s history, dating back to its founding in 1845, that a Korean American has attained the rank of Inspector. The NYPD is the largest police force in the United States, comprising 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees.
Among the 300 Korean-American officers in the NYPD, Huh stands out as a trailblazer. Hired in 1998 as the NYPD’s first Korean-American female officer, she made history again last year by becoming the first Korean American promoted to Deputy Inspector. Her rise to Inspector within less than a year is notably swift.
Promotion to captain in the NYPD is achieved through examination, but ranks above captain require nomination. This means officers must not only demonstrate their capabilities but also earn trust within the organization for higher positions.
Born in Busan, South Korea, Huh attended college in South Korea before moving to the United States. She attributes her promotion to Inspector, in part, to the NYPD’s systematic approach to human resource management.
Discussing her future aspirations, Huh expressed a desire to inspire younger Korean-American officers. “I hope that younger, smarter people, smarter than me, will rise through the ranks, and that in the future, we will see a Korean-American NYPD commissioner,” said Huh.
Huh also conveyed her gratitude towards the Korean-American community. “As a Korean American, I am very proud to forge a new path in the NYPD,” Huh told the Korea Daily. “There are only a few Korean Americans who have succeeded in the NYPD, and I believe this was possible due to the support of numerous Korean Americans.”
BY EUNBYUL KIM, JUNHAN PARK [kim.eb@koreadailyny.com]
