BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Brownsville City Manager Alan Guard has selected Angel L. Figueroa Jr. as the next chief of the Brownsville Police Department. Figueroa will begin serving as chief on Dec. 14, 2026.
Figueroa brings more than 20 years of law-enforcement experience with the New York City Police Department, including executive leadership, strategic operations, crime reduction, professional standards and police training, according to the City of Brownsville.
He currently serves as deputy chief and executive officer of Patrol Borough Manhattan South, where he is second-in-command for boroughwide operations and oversees about 2,500 personnel. His responsibilities include operational planning, coordination across commands, major-event management and performance oversight.
His previous assignments include commanding the NYPD Police Academy, serving in the Professional Standards Bureau and leading precincts responsible for public safety in some of New York City’s busiest areas. Figueroa was the first Hispanic commanding officer of the NYPD’s Times Square Unit, 1st Precinct and 13th Precinct, the City said.
“Brownsville is growing, and we must ensure our public safety services continue to evolve to meet the needs of our residents and the demands of a growing City,” Guard said. “Mr. Figueroa brings extensive executive leadership experience, a strong record of improving police operations and a commitment to accountability, professional development and community-centered policing.”
Figueroa said he plans to listen to residents and build relationships with community members, local leaders and public-safety partners.
“My priority is to listen, learn and understand the needs of our residents while building strong relationships with community members, local leaders and our public safety partners,” Figueroa said. “I look forward to building on the department’s existing successes, supporting the professional growth of our officers, and strengthening the strategies and resources needed to meet the demands of a growing City.”
During his tenure as commanding officer of the NYPD’s 13th Precinct, Figueroa led efforts that reduced crime by 12.2% in 2021, reaching the lowest crime level in the precinct’s CompStat history, according to the City. While commanding the 1st Precinct, he implemented precision-policing strategies that the City said led to a 39.6% reduction in grand larceny and a 13.2% reduction in overall crime.
Figueroa has also developed operational tools intended to strengthen data-driven decision-making, deployment strategies and accountability across police commands. As commanding officer of the NYPD Police Academy, he oversaw recruit training, curriculum development and compliance with established training standards. In the Professional Standards Bureau, he led risk-management initiatives and supervisory-accountability and compliance systems.
His background includes emergency response, major-event security, intelligence-led policing and community partnerships. He is also an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, teaching subjects related to police science, corrections, law and criminal justice. The City said he provides leadership-development instruction for police executives and newly promoted supervisors.
Figueroa completed Columbia University’s Police Management Institute and the Senior Management Institute for Police. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is bilingual in English and Spanish.
The City said the appointment is part of its effort to strengthen police leadership, professional development, operational effectiveness and relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Source
City of Brownsville press release, Nov. 2, 2026.
