As the first woman to head the biggest police force in the United States, New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell is leaving her position.
Sewell sent an email to the department on Monday, June 12, announcing her resignation.
"While my time here will come to a close, I will never step away from advocacy and support for the NYPD, and I will always be a champion for the people of New York City," Sewell remarked.
Appointed by NYC Mayor Eric Adams
According to USA Today, Mayor Eric Adams appointed Sewell 18 months ago. On Monday, he tweeted his appreciation for her "steadfast leadership" and dedication to the city.
Adams' top housing official, Jessica Katz, and the city's efficiency officer, Melanie La Rocca, have all left the administration in recent weeks, and Sewell is the latest high-profile resignation.
Adams stated that everyone was thankful for the commissioner's service, which spanned about a year and a half, working nearly 24 hours a day and seven days a week. "New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude," Adams tweeted.
I want to thank Police Commissioner Sewell for her devotion over the last 18 months and her steadfast leadership. Her efforts played a leading role in this administration’s tireless work to make New York City safer.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 12, 2023
The city issued a press release in January 2022 saying that Sewell spent 25 years with the Nassau County Police Department before being promoted to the position of commissioner upon Adams' election as mayor. Adams was a former NYPD captain.
According to the statement, Sewell was the first Black woman to serve as the chief of detectives at the department. Previously, she had headed the large case bureau and the professional standards bureau.
The City's Crime Rate Dropped
There was a decline in overall crime in the city when Sewell was in charge of the NYPD, according to USA Today. Murder was among the crimes that went down.
She had to deal with a number of high-profile issues, including the shooting deaths of two police officers in her first month on the job and demonstrations after the chokehold murder of Jordan Neely a month ago.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch told USA TODAY in a statement that Sewell had a significant influence and that her leadership will be missed.
"She took over a police department in crisis and faced tremendous challenges from day one. She cared about the cops on the street and was always open to working with us to improve their lives and working conditions," Lynch added.
Who May Possibly Take Over Next?
In a report by ABC 7, First Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban is envisioned to take charge temporarily after Sewell departs the agency. If this happens, he will be the first Hispanic police commissioner in NYPD history.
Being close to the mayor, Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey also has to be at the top of the list of candidates. However, Maddrey has a history of controversy. Most recently, Sewell suspended her six to ten vacation days for overturning the arrest of a veteran NYPD officer in November 2021.
Public Safety Deputy Mayor Phil Banks is in charge of citizen security in his present post at City Hall, and he is close to the mayor, too. Banks resigned as head of the department in 2014 and was subsequently labeled an unindicted co-conspirator in a major NYPD corruption case. He denies misconduct and hosts a weekly public safety briefing.
