New York City Appoints New Police Commissioner, Jessica Tisch
Background
New York City is getting a new police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, who was sworn in on Monday. Tisch, 43, is a city government stalwart and a former NYPD official, making her the second woman to hold the high-profile, high-pressure post. Her appointment comes at a critical time for the nation’s largest police department, following the departure of former commissioner Edward Caban in September amid a federal investigation.
Biography
Tisch has worked for the city for 16 years, holding leadership roles in several agencies. She was born into a wealthy family, with her father, James S. Tisch, being the president and CEO of Loews Corporation, and her mother, Merryl Tisch, being a former chancellor of the state Board of Regents. Her late grandfather, Laurence Tisch, was the former CEO of CBS. Her family has given millions of dollars to cultural and academic institutions and is the namesake of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Career
Tisch’s first job in city government was in the NYPD’s counterterrorism bureau, where she helped shape post-9/11 security infrastructure. She later became the planning and policy director, deploying mobile radiation detectors and helping to develop a digital information-sharing tool with instant access to surveillance cameras and license-plate readers. As deputy commissioner for information technology, she spearheaded the use of body-worn cameras and smartphones, transformed 911 dispatching, introduced a gunshot-detection system, and worked with the city’s transit agency to make police radios work in the subway.
Current Role
As Sanitation Commissioner since 2022, Tisch led what the department calls a "Trash Revolution" aimed at improving cleanliness, reducing stench, and eliminating rats. The city finally started requiring trash bags to be placed in bins for pickup, a practice other cities had adopted years earlier.
Swearing-in Ceremony
At her swearing-in ceremony, Tisch took the oath with her grandfather’s police chaplain shield and her grandmother’s Bible. Addressing the police department, she said, "To the men and women of the NYPD, my greatest hope is that together we will return this noble undertaking, this job of high moral purpose, to a time and a place where you want your children, your grandchildren, your nieces, your nephews to follow in your footsteps and become police officers."
Vice Mayor’s Praise
Mayor Eric Adams praised Tisch, calling her a "visionary" and lauding her track record of improving city operations. "I need someone that’s going to take the police department into the next century," he said.
Challenges Ahead
Tisch’s tenure has been marked by controversy, including criticism that she is a "nepo baby" or "nepo appointee" due to her family’s wealth and connections. Adams pushed back on this, saying that Tisch "does not have to be in city government. She’s here because of the love of the city." Under her leadership, Tisch aims to ensure the police department continues to eliminate fear and disorder, making New Yorkers feel safe.
Conclusion
Jessica Tisch’s appointment as New York City’s new police commissioner comes at a critical time for the nation’s largest police department. With her extensive experience in city government and leadership roles, Tisch is poised to lead the department into a new era of modernization and reform.
FAQs
Q: What is Jessica Tisch’s background?
A: Tisch is a city government stalwart and former NYPD official, with 16 years of experience in various agencies.
Q: What is her family’s background?
A: Tisch’s family is wealthy, with her father being the president and CEO of Loews Corporation, her mother being a former chancellor of the state Board of Regents, and her late grandfather being the former CEO of CBS.
Q: What is her experience in law enforcement?
A: Tisch’s first job in city government was in the NYPD’s counterterrorism bureau, where she helped shape post-9/11 security infrastructure. She later became the planning and policy director, deploying mobile radiation detectors and helping to develop a digital information-sharing tool with instant access to surveillance cameras and license-plate readers.
