Chief of Department Joseph J. Esposito became the 49th Chief to lead the New York City Police Department on August 25th, 2000. A native and life-long resident of Brooklyn, Chief Esposito entered the New York City Police Department at 18 years of age in August of 1968 as a Police Trainee. ("Police Trainee" is a title that no longer exists in the New York City Police Department; it was a position for persons interested in becoming police officers who had not yet attained the then-required age of 21). In April of 1971, having reached the required age, Joseph Esposito was appointed a Patrolman, and began his career on patrol in the 77th Precinct in Brooklyn. He was promoted to Detective in May 1983, Sergeant in September 1983, Lieutenant in February in 1986, Captain in June 1989, Deputy Inspector in August 1993, Inspector in August 1994, Deputy Chief in September 1996, and Assistant Chief in December 1997.

Chief Esposito's vast experience includes service in the 77th, 10th, 83rd, and 109th Precincts as a police officer and a patrol supervisor, and in the 34th, 66th, and 83rd Precincts as commanding officer. Chief Esposito has also served in the Narcotics Division and the Detective Bureau. In his last assignment before becoming Chief of Department, Chief Esposito was the Commanding Officer of the Strategic and Tactical Command (S.A.T.COM) Brooklyn North. In this position, he was in charge of all NYPD Patrol, Detective, Housing, and Narcotics operations in the northern part of New York City's most populous borough.

As Chief of Department, Chief Esposito directs and controls the daily operations of the five major enforcement Bureaus (Patrol Services, Detectives, Transit, Housing, and Organized Crime Control) within the New York City Police Department. He also coordinates the crime control strategy meetings at which commanders share tactical information and recommend plans of action for realizing crime reduction goals.

During Chief Esposito's police career, he has earned some of the Department's most honored and pretigious awards, including the Combat Cross (the Department's second highest commendation), the Medal for Valor, and the Exceptional Merit award.

Chief Esposito holds a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York.