Executive Summary
- NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced he will retain Jessica Tisch as Police Commissioner, fulfilling a campaign promise.
- Mamdani cited Tisch’s record on reducing crime and combating corruption as key reasons for the decision.
- Commissioner Tisch accepted the offer, acknowledging political differences but highlighting shared goals for public safety.
- Tisch was originally appointed in late 2024 by Mayor Eric Adams following a period of leadership turmoil within the NYPD.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has confirmed that he will retain Jessica Tisch as Police Commissioner when his administration takes office in January. The decision maintains continuity at the head of the nation’s largest police force and follows a campaign pledge Mamdani made to keep Tisch in the role.
A Focus on Stability
In a formal announcement, Mamdani, who has previously faced scrutiny for remarks critical of the NYPD, presented the move as an effort to prioritize public safety. He praised Tisch for her work in “cracking down on corruption in the upper echelons of the police department, driving down crime in New York City, and standing up for New Yorkers.” Mamdani added, “Together, we will deliver a city where rank-and-file police officers and the communities they serve alike are safe, represented, and proud to call New York their home.”
Commissioner Tisch confirmed she has accepted the offer. In a statement, she acknowledged ideological differences but emphasized a shared mission. “We share many of the same public safety goals for New York City: lowering crime, making communities safer, rooting out corruption, and giving our officers the tools, support, and resources they need to carry out their noble work,” she said. In an internal email to NYPD personnel, Tisch reiterated her commitment, stating she would be a “fierce advocate for you and for this department.”
Context of the Appointment
Tisch, 44, has nearly two decades of government experience, including roles as the city’s sanitation commissioner and head of the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications. She was appointed Police Commissioner by Mayor Eric Adams in late 2024 amid significant turmoil in the department’s leadership. Her appointment followed the resignation of former Commissioner Edward Caban during an FBI probe and a lawsuit by an interim commissioner alleging the department had been run as a racketeering enterprise.
Outgoing Mayor Adams, who did not seek re-election, praised the decision, stating it affirmed his administration’s public safety strategies. The continuity in leadership is seen as a move to stabilize the department as the city transitions to a new mayoral administration. It is important to note that any individuals or entities mentioned in connection with investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.