A woman of Guyanese lineage was on Monday appointed First Deputy Commissioner in the state of New York, United States (US).
Tania Kinsella, a 20-year veteran of the New York Police Department (NYPD), is now the first woman of colour to serve in such a position.
According to the Queens Chronicle, Kinsella is the youngest daughter of immigrant parents; her mother Linnet Mohabeer, who is formerly of New Amsterdam, Berbice, and her father who hails from Jamaica.
Prior to her appointment, the new First Deputy Commissioner served at several precincts across New York City (NYC), holding different positions and ranks along the way, the report said. Among the ranks she has held are Captain, Commanding Officer, Deputy Inspector, and Inspector. In 2022 Kinsella was appointed Executive Officer at the Office of the Chief of Patrol and there she was later promoted to Deputy Chief, the Queens Chronicle said.
Of Kinsella, the NYC Mayor said, “her appointment truly personifies the American Dream. In her 20 years with the NYPD, First Deputy Commissioner Kinsella has devoted herself to bringing the police and the community together, building bonds, and making our city a better, safer, and stronger place to live”.
Also appointed on the same day as Kinsella, is Edward Caban who is now the first Latino to hold the post of Commissioner. The two have been described by the Mayor as being the best of the NYPD, the report stated.
“They truly understand the importance of both safety and justice, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to help keep our city safe,” the Mayor said.
Kinsella is a mother of two.
