New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed sanitation chief Jessica Tisch as police commissioner on Wednesday. Tisch, a city government veteran and former NYPD official, is only the second woman to hold this high-profile, high-pressure position.
Her appointment comes at a crucial time for the nation’s largest police department, providing stability after the tumultuous departure of former commissioner Edward Caban in September amid a federal investigation. His interim replacement, Thomas Donlon, also faced scrutiny from the FBI.
Tisch, 43, a Harvard graduate from a prominent New York family, has dedicated 16 years to city service, holding leadership positions in various agencies. Notably, during her tenure as sanitation commissioner, she gained fame on TikTok for declaring, “The rats don’t run the city, we do.”
“I need someone to lead the police department into the future,” Adams stated, commending Tisch as a visionary with a proven track record of enhancing city operations.
Tisch expressed her belief in the nobility of policing and her eagerness to return to the NYPD, where she began her career in the counterterrorism bureau. Her work there included shaping security infrastructure post-9/11 and implementing innovative technologies like mobile radiation detectors and digital surveillance tools.
As deputy commissioner for information technology, Tisch pioneered the use of body cameras and smartphones for officers, upgraded 911 dispatch systems, and collaborated with the transit agency to improve police communication in the subway.
Throughout her tenure, Tisch has served under three mayors—Bloomberg, de Blasio, and now Adams. Her role in managing the city’s digital infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal in facilitating remote work and online services.
As Sanitation Commissioner, Tisch led a “Trash Revolution” to enhance cleanliness and reduce rodent issues in the city. She implemented measures like requiring trash bags to be placed in bins for pickup, a practice adopted by other cities for years.
Despite criticism of nepotism due to her family’s wealth and connections, Adams defended Tisch’s appointment, emphasizing her passion for public service and dedication to the city.
With a background in law and business, Tisch’s journey into public service began unexpectedly at the NYPD, where she found her niche in counterterrorism and later in technology modernization efforts.
Her innovative approach, such as equipping officers with smartphones, faced initial backlash but proved successful in improving emergency responses and officer efficiency.
Despite challenges and controversies, Tisch’s commitment to public service and her family’s legacy of philanthropy and civic engagement reflect her deep-rooted connection to New York City and its institutions.
The city’s Conflicts of Interest Board fined her $2,000.
Now she’s taking charge of a department in yet more chaos.
Adams’ first commissioner, Keechant Sewell, made history as the first woman in the post but resigned last year, just 18 months into her tenure, amid speculation that he was undermining her authority.
Under her replacement, Caban, the NYPD tacked more lenient in disciplining officers and more aggressive in taking on criticism. Some top deputies posted social media screeds targeting critics and reporters, or castigated them in person or on the phone. The department even ditched its longtime slogan—“Courtesy, Professionalism, Respect”—for one focused on crimefighting and public safety.
