Courtesy NYC.gov
Jessica Tisch has been appointed as the second female commissioner of the NYPD, following Keechant Sewell.
MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Mayor Eric Adams announced that Jessica Tisch has been appointed the next commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), making her only the second woman to hold the position in the department’s 179-year history. Tisch’s appointment took effect on Monday, November 25.
Tisch, a 12-year veteran of the NYPD, will take over the leadership of the nation’s largest police force as crime continues its downward trend across the five boroughs. As of October, overall crime in the city has decreased for the 10th consecutive month. Tisch succeeds Keechant Sewell, who became the first female commissioner in 2022, and who was also appointed by Adams.
Currently serving as commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Tisch has been a prominent figure in Mayor Adams’ administration, leading the “Trash Revolution,” an initiative that has containerized 70 percent of the 44 million pounds of waste New Yorkers generate each day.
A 17-year veteran of city government, Tisch has dedicated much of her career to public service. She was appointed DSNY commissioner in April 2022, overseeing waste collection, recycling, street cleaning, and snow removal for the city’s 6,500 miles of streets. Under her leadership, New York City launched groundbreaking sanitation programs, including universal curbside composting for all 3.5 million households and the push for a citywide containerized trash system.
Before her role at DSNY, Tisch served as commissioner of the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) from 2019 to 2022. At DoITT, she managed the city’s vast IT operations, which included overseeing public safety systems and economic development initiatives, as well as running the city’s 311 service. Tisch was also instrumental in rolling out New York City’s first-ever text-to-911 service and played a key role in the city’s COVID-19 response, including the development of the city’s vaccination program.
Tisch’s tenure in city government began at the NYPD, where she served in various leadership roles, including deputy commissioner of information technology. She helped revolutionize the department’s use of technology, from transforming 911 operations to managing the NYPD’s Domain Awareness System, a key tool for crime-fighting and counterterrorism efforts. Tisch also championed the rollout of body-worn cameras for officers and spearheaded efforts to enhance transparency through data accessibility and the modernization of the department’s CompStat system.
“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 said. “As one of the most successful managers in our administration, I am confident that Commissioner Tisch will effectively lead the greatest police department in the world and continue to deliver the safety and peace of mind New Yorkers deserve.”
A lifelong New Yorker, Tisch is a graduate of Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Business School.
Tisch’s appointment is seen as a pivotal moment in Mayor Adams’ ongoing efforts to reshape New York City’s approach to policing and public safety.
“For 12 years, I cherished the special privilege of serving alongside the brave women and men of the New York City Police Department,” Tisch said. “I’ve seen firsthand the profound nobility of the policing profession, and I was proud to work shoulder-to-shoulder with both uniform members and civilians to propel the NYPD into the next century of technological advancement.”
During the appointment address, Mayor Adams shared memories of the city’s past struggles with crime, including the crack epidemic and widespread violence, and emphasized the pivotal role a police commissioner plays not only in public safety but also in driving the city’s economic recovery and quality of life. He stressed that the police commissioner must lead from the front, ensuring officers are supported and held to high standards of dignity and respect.
“We’ve accomplished something historical that should not be ignored. It took 110 mayors before we realized that a woman could lead the department under Commissioner Sewell,” Adams said. “And now we’re continuing that with the second woman leading the department. And I needed a battle-tested leader. Someone that understand what it is to lead.”
Adams also celebrated the historical significance of Jessica Tisch’s appointment as the second woman to lead the NYPD, following in the footsteps of Commissioner Keechant Sewell. He highlighted Tisch’s impressive background in city government, including her successful tenure as commissioner of the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), where she implemented groundbreaking reforms.
During newly appointed Police Commissioner Tisch’s speech, she reflected on her long career in city government and the significance of taking the oath of office. Recalling her first day at the NYPD in 2008, Tisch described the challenges of navigating the bureaucratic processes of the department. As she progressed through her career, she said the true weight of the oath became clearer with time, as she took on increasing responsibilities in various roles.
Tisch vowed to restore the high moral purpose of the NYPD and to inspire future generations to follow in the footsteps of police officers. In closing, she swore to faithfully discharge the duties of her position, guided by the values instilled in her by her family and colleagues, and reaffirmed her commitment to making New York City a safer and more secure place for all its residents.
“I solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the position of police commissioner of the City of New York to the very best of my abilities, just as I have done as sanitation commissioner, as DOITT commissioner, as deputy commissioner of information technology, as counsel to the police commissioner, as director of counterterrorism policy and planning, and as intelligence research specialist level two, so help me God,” Tisch said.
Her appointment marks a historic moment for the department, as she takes on the leadership of the nation’s largest police force.
