NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch Retained by Mayor-elect Mamdani Amidst Nearly 20% Drop in Murders

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has announced that current NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch will remain at the helm of the nation's largest local law enforcement agency when he takes office on January 1. The decision comes despite acknowledged ideological differences between the progressive Mayor-elect and the crime-focused Commissioner, highlighting a shared commitment to public safety following a period of significant crime reduction. Under Commissioner Tisch's leadership, the city has seen a historic decrease in crime, including a nearly 20% drop in murders citywide year-to-date and the fewest shooting incidents in recorded history for the first ten months of 2025.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist who previously advocated for defunding the police, has shifted his stance, emphasizing his intent to maintain the NYPD's headcount and focus on genuine public safety. He praised Tisch's work, stating, "I have admired her work cracking down on corruption in the upper echelons of the police department, driving down crime in New York City and standing up for New Yorkers in the face of authoritarianism." Tisch, appointed by outgoing Mayor Eric Adams in November 2024, has been credited with removing over 4,800 illegal guns in 2025 and overseeing four of the safest months in city transit in 15 years.

In an internal email to NYPD officers, Tisch acknowledged the differing viewpoints but affirmed shared core objectives with Mamdani. "Now, do the Mayor-elect and I agree on everything? No, we don’t," she wrote, adding, "But in speaking with him, it’s clear that we share broad and crucial priorities: the importance of public safety, the need to continue driving down crime, and the need to maintain stability and order across the department." She also pledged to be a "fierce advocate" for the department and its officers.

Mamdani's public safety plans include creating a Department of Community Safety to handle non-violent emergency calls, such as mental health crises, to allow police officers to focus on serious crime. Tisch, who previously served as the city's Sanitation Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for Information Technology at the NYPD, reportedly supports this initiative. Police union leaders, including PBA president Patrick Hendry, have expressed support for Tisch's retention, citing her understanding of officers' daily challenges.

This unexpected alliance between Mamdani and Tisch signals a pragmatic approach to policing in New York City, aiming to balance progressive reforms with continued efforts to combat crime. The collaboration seeks to deliver a city where both law enforcement and the communities they serve feel safe and represented.