First Female NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell Stepping Down After 18 Months on the Job

New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, the first woman to serve in the position, will step down after 18 months on the job.

Sewell, who was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams, announced the resignation in an email to department staff Monday afternoon.

“While my time here will come to an end, I will never walk away from advocating for and supporting the NYPD, and will always be an advocate for the people of New York City,” Sewell wrote.

The departure of Commissioner Sewell was confirmed by Mayor Eric Adams himself, who in messages on social networks referred to the resignation.

“I want to thank Police Commissioner Sewell for her devotion over the past 18 months and her steadfast leadership. Her efforts have played a prominent role in this administration’s tireless work to make New York City safer,” the officer wrote. mayor.

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 mayor also referred to the fact that during his government – with Commissioner Sewell at the head of the NYPD – the main categories of crime in the city were reduced.

“When we took office, crime was on an upward trend, and thanks to the brave men and women of the New York Police Department, most major crime categories are now down,” the mayor said.

When we came into office, crime was trending upwards, and thanks to the brave men and women of the NYPD, most of the major crime categories are now down.

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 12, 2023

Adams appreciated the commissioner’s effort in particular.

“The commissioner worked nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a year and a half, and we are all grateful for her service. New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude,” the mayor said.

The commissioner worked nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a year and a half, and we are all grateful for her service. New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude.

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 12, 2023

The reasons for Sewell’s resignation are not known, at least officially, but his departure comes just a few days after a report on monitoring by the federal government on the performance of the police in relation to arrests in certain areas was released. from the city.

The report severely criticized the NYPD, pointing out that arrests in areas where there is more crime affect communities of color (blacks, Latinos and others) in their vast majority and that they are carried out in violation of the law.

During his brief tenure, Sewell oversaw a decline in some crime categories, including murder, while dealing with several high-profile crises, including the fatal shooting of two officers during his first month on the job.

In a statement, Patrick Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association (one of the NYPD’s unions), said his leadership would be “much missed.”

Sewell avoided the New York spotlight and was rarely available to the press, even as Adams has made fighting crime a centerpiece of his administration.

He also faced speculation that he was not really in control of the department, fueled in part by Adams’s decision to appoint a former NYPD chief and key ally, Phillip Banks, as deputy mayor for public safety. Banks has been holding weekly public briefings on the crime, often without Sewell’s assistance.

NYPD commissioners often serve short terms in one of the highest pressure and most politically challenging police jobs. Sewell’s predecessor, Dermot Shea, served in the role for two years. His predecessor, James O’Neill, lasted three. Prior to that, William Bratton served less than three years in his second term as commissioner, having served just over two years under Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

The notable exception is former commissioner Raymond Kelly, who served for 16 months under former mayor David Dinkins, then returned and was a commissioner during the 12 years that Michael Bloomberg was mayor.

Sewell started with the Nassau County Police Department as a patrol officer in 1997, then became a precinct commander, major case manager, a top hostage negotiator, and finally chief of detectives, where she oversaw a staff of approximately 350, about 1% the size of the unformed ranks of the NYPD.