NEW YORK (WABC) — In a landmark move, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday that Jessica Tisch, the current New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner, will take over as the next Commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), effective Monday. Tisch’s appointment makes her the second woman in the department’s 179-year history to hold the prestigious position, following Keechant Sewell, who was appointed by Adams.
Tisch, a 12-year veteran of the NYPD, has spent much of her career within law enforcement, serving in a variety of roles before her current position as the DSNY Commissioner. Her leadership in the sanitation department has been marked by major successes, including the implementation of the “Trash Revolution” initiative, which containerized 70% of the 44 million pounds of trash collected in the city.
Mayor Adams expressed his confidence in Tisch’s ability to lead the NYPD during a critical time. “The people of this city have been clear that they agree with what our administration has been fighting for since day one in office: a safer city where they don’t need to worry about walking down the street or taking the subway at night,” he said. “To ensure New Yorkers have the ability to thrive in our city, we need a strong, battle-tested leader who will continue to drive down crime and ensure New Yorkers are safe and feel safe, and I cannot think of a leader more up to the task than Commissioner Jessica Tisch.”
Adams also extended his gratitude to Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon, who served the city for the past two months following the departure of the previous commissioner. “I also want to thank Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon for serving our city over the last two months, after a lifetime of serving our state and this country,” Adams remarked. “We appreciate his willingness to quickly come on board and dedicate day and night to this city. I look forward to having him serve in his new role.”
Jessica Tisch’s appointment is seen as a strategic move by Mayor Adams to build on his administration’s efforts to tackle crime and public safety in New York City. With her extensive experience in city governance and her background in law enforcement, Tisch is expected to bring a fresh approach to the NYPD while continuing to push for safer streets and communities.