New York City's Police Department Gets a Fresh Start

When Jessie Tisch took over as the new Police Commissioner, she faced an immediate challenge: a high-profile shooting in Manhattan. But once the suspect was caught, Tisch turned her attention to some big changes needed within the NYPD. One of her first moves was to send 500 officers back to their regular jobs. This was a clear signal that any relaxed or informal practices were a thing of the past. The NYPD is a massive force, with resources comparable to a small army, so structure and accountability are crucial. Tisch is no stranger to managing large departments. She's proven her skills in fields as diverse as IT and Sanitation. This makes her an ideal candidate to bring more transparency and responsibility to the NYPD. She also appointed a team of top aides: Delaney Kempner for public information, Kristine Ryan for management and budget, Yisroel Hecht for IT, Alex Crohn for strategic initiatives, and Steven Harte for support services. That's five deputy commissioners, and the City Charter allows for seven at most. Tisch needs to decide whether to stick to the Charter's limit or change it. It's a big decision that could impact how the department is run. Another area needing attention is the handling of police misconduct. The previous commissioner was criticized for being too quick to end investigations. Tisch must find a balance: stepping in when necessary but also ensuring fair and transparent processes to maintain public trust. After a period of tumult with three commissioners in quick succession, Tisch has the chance to steer the ship in a new direction.