Lloyd George Sealy
(January 4, 1917 – January 4, 1985)
He was a trailblazing figure in the field of law enforcement. He made significant contributions throughout his life:
Biography
Early Career and Achievements Born in 1917, Sealy became a groundbreaking figure in the New York Police Department (NYPD). He was not only the NYPD’s first African-American officer to graduate from the FBI National Academy but also achieved the distinction of becoming the first African-American officer in the NYPD to attain the rank of commander, serving as the commander of the 28th precinct in Harlem in 1963.
Leadership and Accomplishments Sealy’s leadership continued to break barriers as he became the first African-American officer to hold the positions of Assistant Chief Inspector and Borough Commander, overseeing the Patrol Borough of Brooklyn North. This borough included historically African-American communities such as Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Weeksville, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and East New York.
Academic Career Following his retirement from the NYPD in 1969, Sealy transitioned to an academic career. He made history once again by becoming the first African-American Associate Professor of Law and Police Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Founding NOBLE Sealy was also a founding member of NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives), a national organization comprising African-American police officers from various American cities. This organization aimed to address issues related to law enforcement and community engagement.
Author and Scholar In 1974, Sealy co-authored the book “The Community and the Police: Conflict or Cooperation” with Joseph Fink. The book highlighted the importance of improving the social service aspect of policing and advocated for increased minority recruitment, human services training, and citizen participation in law enforcement.
Legacy Tragically, Lloyd George Sealy passed away in 1985 on his 68th birthday. His commitment to education and progress lived on, as on December 4, 1991, the library at John Jay College was renamed the Lloyd Sealy Library in his honor. The library’s Special Collections preserve his personal papers, providing valuable insights into his career as both a distinguished police officer and a dedicated scholar.