N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 15-103.1: § 15-103.1 Chief of department.

Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any general, special or local law, including but not limited to section 15-110 of this chapter, to the contrary, the chief of department shall not be required to be selected by competitive examination. The chief of department shall be in the exempt class of the classified service, and shall be selected from among persons holding the title of deputy chief (fire).