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Three weeks into her career as the first woman to head the New York City Police Department, Commissioner Keechant Sewell was confronted with a tremendous tragedy: the murder of two police officers in an ambush in Harlem.
Her first year on the job was bookended by attacks on police officers. On New Year’s Eve, a suspected Islamic fanatic attacked officers with a machete mere steps from Times Square, injuring three.
“As seen last night, there are substantial dangers in this job,” Sewell told the city’s Finest on the first day of the year. “Whether it’s your first day or your tenth, you face the obstacles and evil powers of this city head on to prevent others from becoming victims.
She continued, “This is the heritage of the NYPD, and I am very grateful that our cops will recover.”
Mayor Eric Adams lauded the media-averse commissioner’s “emotional intelligence” when she was hired, but she has given few interviews and rarely deviated from her prepared remarks in public. She even fled from a Post reporter at an event earlier this year.
But Sewell’s emotional statement at Harlem Hospital and her refusal to answer questions from the press on the evening of January 21, 2021 — when a domestic violence suspect shot Officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora — earned her early respect among the rank-and-file.
As of last Sunday, homicides in New York City were 13.1% lower than this time last year.
Alexander Sadowski
Cops had some hope that the Nassau County outsider would solve various long-standing problems in the department, but low morale among the force has been one of the obstacles the new commissioner has faced since becoming office.
While the Big Apple has experienced a decline in homicides in 2022, the NYPD has battled to curb rising crime, including significant offenses like robberies and assaults, as well as a slew of brutal, high-profile subway attacks.
The NYPD declined to make the police commissioner accessible for an interview with The Post; the newspaper could choose the reporter, and the department remained silent.
In 2022, Adams and his Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Phil Banks, instructed Sewell’s police administration to prioritize the significant increase in gun violence.
This resulted in the implementation of rebranded anti-crime units, dubbed Neighborhood Safety Teams, in fulfillment of a campaign pledge made by Adams, as well as the redeployment of desk cops throughout the city.
As of last week, Sewell and her team witnessed a 17% decline in shootings and a comparable 13% decline in homicides. Police leadership has been unable to quantify the effect these teams have had on the violence.
This number is still a far cry from pre-pandemic levels in the city, and all other serious offences, excluding homicide, increased year-over-year. As of the previous week, overall index crimes – those committed against a person or their property — were up about 23%.
In 2022, one in ten victims of gun violence were youngsters, a disturbing trend that the police must combat. The young of New York City have been increasingly targeted in chaotic shootouts or after a disagreement.
The agency and the mayor’s public safety team have failed to develop a strategy to address the city’s retail theft epidemic. Adams recently convened a gathering with hundreds of industry executives and law enforcement officers to devise a strategy.
Both Sewell and Adams have cited decreasing crime rates over the past two months as evidence of progress on city streets and the subway system.
Mayor Eric Adams has been at the forefront of public safety, whereas Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell has labored in the background. William Farrington
In contrast to her predecessors, who were ready to appear in front of the cameras, Sewell has chosen to operate more quietly in the department.
She has taken a backseat to the mayor, who has been at the forefront of most major public safety announcements, including when Adams launched the Neighborhood Safety Teams and his mental health strategy for the homeless.
According to police sources, the commissioner even disappeared prior to a news conference she was scheduled to attend this year, requiring her first deputy to step in at the last minute.
During their first year on the job, Sewell has appeared at the same number of breaking news events as her predecessor, Dermot Shea.
According to their calendars and news clippings, Shea, who assumed the role in 2019 under then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, also conducted 79 interviews with reporters, while Sewell has only conducted nine.
Nonetheless, the new commissioner’s reduced public schedule has won her favor with the rank-and-file.
A police source stated, “She seems more sincere than her predecessor, and she is diversifying the executives by replacing the old-minded chiefs who cannot adjust to the changes in time.”
Another police officer with over 20 years of experience stated that the commissioner appeared to be improving the department.
Regarding the morale of the police force, the officers stated, “It’s the work, the way the job beats everyone up.” When she speaks with others, they seem to enjoy her.”
Others say that little has changed, as overtime is increasing and partiality remains unchecked in the new leadership.
A police source stated that her administration lacked a significant amount of authority.
According to a second source, the mayor is at fault.
“He overpromised and cannot fulfill… Ask any officer”
Some officers, who initially viewed the former Nassau County Police Department chief of detectives as a “carpetbagger,” have subsequently altered their minds and praised Sewell for announcing that she will amend the department’s disciplinary procedures.
“People are saying it had to be revised because it was overkill,” a source said of the NYPD’s discipline matrix, which outlines punishments for officer misconduct and was established with the assistance of advocacy groups and the general public.
Adams chose scandal-tainted former NYPD Chief of Force Philip Banks for the position of Deputy Mayor of Public Safety a month after Sewell’s appointment as head of the nation’s largest police department.
According to insiders, Banks was now the guy behind the curtain at the NYPD.
According to police sources, Banks frequently sidestepped the commissioner to consult with three-star chiefs and influenced a number of internal decisions, including the sacking of Joseph Reznick, the head of Internal Affairs.
Since then, the department has heard whispers of an ongoing power struggle inside One Police Plaza.
One source, a Brooklyn police officer with more than 20 years of experience, stated, “She reportedly clashes with Banks frequently.”
However, Sewell appeared to be pushing back against the male-dominated power structure, as seen by her heated and well-received November address to the Policewomen’s Endowment Association.
“Be aware that others with half your experience will second-guess you, tell you what you should say, and tell you what you should write,” she advised.
They do not have any superior judgment.
According to police sources, a new faction in police leadership has arisen in recent months following the hiring of Jeff Madrey, a longtime ally of the mayor, as chief of department.
Chief Jeff Maddrey was appointed department head in November, succeeding Christopher Sadowski.
According to police sources, the NYPD saw a significant change in leadership shortly thereafter, with some of those selected not being the commissioner’s first choice.
“It’s admirable that [he is] devoted to his pals,” a source said of the mayor, “but sometimes he could just say, ‘Hey, bro, step back and let her do her thing. “Mind your own business!
»A look back at the first year of NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell: crime, morale, and visibility«