Mayor Eric Adams made a big announcement on Wednesday: Jessica Tisch will be the next Commissioner of the NYPD, starting Monday.
At 43 years old, Tisch will become just the second woman to hold this important position in the NYPD’s 179-year history. The first woman was Keechant Sewell, who was also appointed by Adams.
Tisch, who has 12 years of experience with the NYPD, is currently the commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation. Before that, she worked as a counter-terrorism analyst and later became Deputy Commissioner of Information and Technology.
“I’ve seen up close how meaningful and important police work is, and I’ve worked alongside both officers and civilians to push the NYPD into a new era of technology,” Tisch said. “I’m honored by this responsibility, and I understand how serious this role is.”
As DSNY commissioner, Tisch was in charge of the “Trash Revolution,” which made a big impact by containerizing 70% of the 44 million pounds of trash the city collects each year.
Mayor Adams shared his confidence in Tisch, saying, “New Yorkers want a safer city, and we need a strong, experienced leader to keep crime down and make people feel safe. Commissioner Tisch is the right person for the job.”
Interim police commissioner Thomas Donlon, who had hoped to stay in the role, will now move to another position in the administration.
“I want to thank Thomas Donlon for stepping in over the past two months and giving so much to the city,” Adams added. “We’re grateful for his service and look forward to his continued work.”
For now, First Deputy Commissioner Javier Lojan will take over the sanitation department.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry commented on the challenges facing the NYPD, including being understaffed and overworked. He hopes Tisch can help address these issues quickly, as the future of the police department and the city depends on it.
Kathryn Wylde, the CEO of the Partnership for New York City, a group of business leaders, emphasized that safety is a top priority for employers. She pointed out that many crimes, often involving career criminals or mentally ill individuals, are making the city feel unsafe. Wylde believes that Tisch is more than capable of tackling these issues.
“Jessica Tisch is smart, and she truly understands what the NYPD is going through,” Wylde said.
With a long list of challenges ahead, Tisch is ready to step up. She’ll be sworn in as NYPD commissioner on Monday, and many are hopeful she’ll be able to make a real difference in the city.
