New NYPD Transit Chief Sworn In
Joseph Gulotta was sworn in as the new Chief of the NYPD’s transit bureau on Wednesday.
New Appointment
Gulotta, a 32-year NYPD veteran, has replaced Michael Kemper, who left his post as Transit chief after nearly four years this summer and retired from the department to take a new job as the MTA’s chief security officer.
About the New Chief
Gulotta has been serving as borough commander on Staten Island since April 2023 and has been credited with overseeing a drop in crime on the island. He has also been previously noted for his use of social media to root out gangs, a practice for which he was once marked for death online when he was commanding officer of the 73rd Precinct in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
Police Commissioner’s Response
NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon wrote on X, “Chief Gulotta brings the experience and knowledge needed to lead our transit team and continue to drive crime down.”
MTA Chair’s Endorsement
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber considered Gulotta “superbly qualified” for the job, stating, “Chief Gulotta is superbly qualified to lead officers responsible for the safety of New Yorkers on the subway and buses. We are confident he will sustain the significant decline in subway crime achieved by his predecessor, which has led to a double-digit drop in serious felonies since before the pandemic.”
Challenges ahead
Gulotta has been named as a defendant in 22 separate lawsuits against the department, settled for a total of more than $600,000, according to public police disciplinary records. Those include a $225,000 settlement where Gulotta and other cops in Brooklyn’s 67th Precinct were accused of assaulting and falsely arresting a group of people.
Conclusion
Gulotta will now be responsible for overseeing the city’s subway system, with crime in the transit system down 6.4% year-to-date compared to the same point last year. Despite being a small slice of overall crime in the system, each individual crime tends to command outsize attention due to the subway’s status as the city’s public sphere.
FAQs
Q: Who is Joseph Gulotta?
A: Joseph Gulotta is the new Chief of the NYPD’s transit bureau, a 32-year veteran of the department.
Q: Who did he replace?
A: Gulotta replaced Michael Kemper, who left his post as Transit chief after nearly four years this summer and retired from the department to take a new job as the MTA’s chief security officer.
Q: What are his qualifications?
A: Gulotta has served as borough commander on Staten Island since April 2023 and has been credited with overseeing a drop in crime on the island. He has also been recognized for his use of social media to root out gangs and has received praise from the NYPD Commissioner and MTA Chair.
Q: What are the challenges he will face?
A: Gulotta will face challenges in maintaining the decline in subway crime and addressing the issues faced by the NYPD, including lawsuits and public scrutiny.
