Commissioner Tisch is the fourth person to serve as commissioner under the Adams administration and the second woman to hold the position in the department’s history.
Jessica Tisch was officially sworn in as the 48th commissioner of the Police Department on Monday by Mayor Eric Adams. Despite criticism about her lack of experience walking a police beat, Mayor Adams defended her appointment, stating that she is a capable leader who can handle the job effectively. Commissioner Tisch, a Harvard Law School graduate and former head of the city’s Sanitation Department, is the second female leader of the Police Department.
During her swearing-in ceremony at 1 Police Plaza, Commissioner Tisch pledged to restore pride to the department, which has been marred by scandal and uncertainty. She faces numerous challenges, including low morale among officers, demands for more police accountability from civil rights groups, and concerns about public safety in the city. Despite a slight decrease in the overall crime rate in recent years, New Yorkers remain worried about safety.
Commissioner Tisch did not outline specific plans to address these issues during her swearing-in ceremony. She also did not mention the scandal involving former Commissioner Edward Caban, who resigned in September amid a federal investigation that implicated Mayor Adams’s administration. Thomas Donlon, a former F.B.I. agent, served as interim commissioner before Commissioner Tisch’s appointment.
In her speech, Commissioner Tisch reflected on her first day at the Police Department in 2008 when she started as an intelligence research specialist. She emphasized her dedication to the department and her commitment to leading it effectively.
Overall, Commissioner Tisch’s appointment comes at a critical time for the Police Department, and her leadership will be closely watched as she navigates the challenges ahead.
Source: The NY Times
