New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has confirmed that Jessica Tisch will remain in charge of the nation’s largest police force, marking one of his most important appointments ahead of taking office in January. The decision reflects major compromise from both leaders, who have held differing views on policing, reforms, and public safety.
Mamdani, once a vocal critic of the NYPD and an advocate of defunding the department, apologized to officers during his campaign as he sought to reassure voters, particularly moderates, about his stance on safety. Tisch, known for her data-driven approach and tough-on-crime policies, has pushed to reverse several criminal justice reforms and expand quality-of-life policing. Her willingness to stay signals an effort to maintain stability in the NYPD as leadership transitions.
In a message to the department, Tisch said leading the NYPD is “the greatest privilege” of her life. While acknowledging policy differences with Mamdani, she emphasized that they share key priorities, including keeping crime down, maintaining public order, and ensuring officers receive respect and institutional support.
For weeks, it was uncertain whether Tisch—appointed by outgoing Mayor Eric Adams—would continue under Mamdani, despite his public promise during a mayoral debate. A meeting between the two last week left the outcome unclear, but strong support from Governor Kathy Hochul added pressure for her to remain. Tisch has stayed neutral throughout the political race.
Tisch brings a long record of public service, with experience as sanitation commissioner and the city’s chief technology officer. She took charge of the NYPD after corruption scandals within the Adams administration and has since overseen a historic drop in crime, fewer shootings and homicides, and major progress in removing illegal guns from New York streets.
Mamdani and Tisch made their first joint public appearance at the Fallen Heroes Memorial in Lower Manhattan, where they paid tribute to officers killed in the line of duty. Mamdani praised the officers and highlighted the emotional significance of visiting the memorial, while Tisch declined to discuss politics and stressed the importance of honoring the fallen.
During his campaign, Mamdani proposed creating a Department of Community Safety to handle non-criminal emergency calls involving mental health crises, domestic issues, and homelessness. He argues that offloading these responsibilities from police would allow officers to focus more effectively on serious crime. After their meeting, Mamdani indicated that Tisch supports this direction, saying both agree that expecting officers to manage over 200,000 mental health calls annually is unsustainable.
As Mamdani prepares to take office, the partnership between him and Tisch will be closely watched, given their differing histories. Their cooperation signals an attempt to blend reform with continuity, aiming to ensure public safety while reshaping how the city responds to community needs.