Common Council Approves Erika Shields As New Head Of Buffalo Police Department

Just about five months into Mayor Sean Ryan's administration, his choice to lead the Buffalo Police Department has been confirmed by the City's Common Council.

According to the Charter of the City of Buffalo, the Common Council has the right and authority to provide advice and consent to the Mayor for the people he wishes to serve as heads of the major government departments.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Erika Shields appeared in front of the Council to answer questions as to why city leaders should approve her to lead the region's largest police agency.

Buffalo Common Council voted 5-4 to give the top cop job to Erika Shields

Shields, who was born and raised in Morris, New York (Otsego County in Central New York), has a long career in law enforcement. She started as a patrol officer in Atlanta, Georgia, before rising to become the chief of the 1,600 officer Atlanta Police Department. Shield served as Chief of the APD until June 2020, when the controversy surrounding the officer-involved killing of Rayshard Brooks led to her resignation. Shields then took over the 1,000 officer Louisville Police Department, a position she held for two years before going into the private sector.

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The debate in Common Council Chambers on whether Shields should be approved or not was contentions as times, with several members making their opinions known about whether or not she is the right choice for Buffalo.

In the end, Shields was confirmed with a simple majority vote. Five Council Members, Brian Bollman, Joel Feroleto, Mitch Nowakowski, David Rivera, and Rasheed Wyatt voted to approve her appointment to the job, while Zeneta Everhart, Joe Golombek, Leah Halton-Pope, and Chris Scanlon (4) voted against it.

With Shields now approved, she's expected to officially start the job as Buffalo Police Commissioner on Monday, May 4, 2026.

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