They were sworn in as leaders of the unit on Wednesday during a ceremony at One Police Plaza.
Their unit, made up of 10 others from various religions, provides critical support for roughly 33,000 officers and 15,000 civilian employees.
In their new roles, the two will work together to oversee a team of clergy members from various faith traditions, striving to provide guidance and comfort to NYPD employees.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the news earlier this month.
"To become a chaplain in the NYPD isn't to add a title, it's to attach your name and your moral authority to an institution whose decisions carry immense consequence," Tisch said.
Cardinal Dolan served as Archbishop of New York starting in 2009. He retired from the role recently at the age of 75.
He was replaced by Ronald Hicks in February.
Rev. Bernard is founder of The Christian Cultural Center headquartered in Brooklyn and has deep ties to that community and many others across the nation.
"In moments of pressure, fatigue, danger and grief, what sustains an officer is not only training and policy but character, conscious and a grounded sense of purpose," Bernard said.
They are no strangers to the NYPD and have been there in good times, like promotions and retirements, and bad, including funerals of fallen officers.
"Now I get to do it a bit more often, in a more formal and efficient way and that I cherish deeply," Dolan said.
It's a history-making moment as it is the first time two people have shared the position.
Rabbi Alvin Kass was previously the Chief Chaplain before he died last year. Kass worked at the department for nearly 60 years and was its longest-serving employee.
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