AR Bernard and Former Archbishop Dolan Sworn In as NYPD Co-Chaplains

Rev. A.R. Bernard, founder of the Christian Cultural Center megachurch in Brooklyn, and former Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan have both been sworn in as co-chaplains of the New York Police Department, bringing two of the city's most prominent religious leaders into direct partnership with its largest law enforcement agency. The appointments reflect a deliberate effort by the NYPD to strengthen its relationship with faith communities across denominational lines, pairing a Black evangelical Protestant pastor with a retired Catholic archbishop in a city where both traditions wield significant cultural influence. The dual appointment comes at a time when police-community relations remain a central concern in New York City, and when the moral authority of religious leaders is increasingly seen as a bridge between law enforcement and the communities they serve.