NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch vowed to cops early Wednesday that she would be a “fierce advocate” for them and wouldn’t be afraid to “mince words” – as she revealed plans to stay on the job under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, The Post has learned.
Tisch fired off a department-wide email explaining her decision to accept Mamdani’s job retention offer — despite admitting she doesn’t always 100% agree with the socialist’s far-left policies.
In an apparent attempt to quell concerns about Mamdani’s history of anti-cop statements, Tisch insisted she was confident she could still lead the department “honorably going forward” based on a spate of recent meetings she had with the mayor-elect before agreeing to stay on.
“I wanted you – the men and women of the NYPD – to hear this directly from me first. Because the reason I have chosen to stay is you. I believe deeply in the nobility of your work, in what you do every day to keep this city safe, in your commitment, and in your sacrifice,” Tisch said in the email.
“Now, do the Mayor-elect and I agree on everything? No, we don’t. 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.”
The highly anticipated appointment fulfills Mamdani’s campaign promise to keep the respected 44-year-old police executive in the top role.
In a bridge-building move that comes despite their profound political differences, Mamdani’s team lauded the significant crime drop under her leadership — including record-low shootings so far this year.
Mamdani’s move to retain Tisch comes as the far-left candidate looks to ease concerns amid widespread fears that crime would skyrocket under his administration.
“I appreciate that the Mayor-elect wants a team with different points of view – a team where ideas and policies are debated on their merits,” she said in the email.
“In those discussions, you can trust that I will be a fierce advocate for you and for this department. You know how I operate: I don’t mince words. When I say something, I mean it. And that is not going to change.
“This year, we are having tremendous success fighting crime – shattering records across the board. It is extraordinary, and it is because of you. But we can never rest easy, and we can never accept the idea that our best days are behind us. We owe the people of New York City more. Let’s meet that challenge together,” she continued.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry quickly praised Tisch’s vow.
“We are very glad to hear that there will be stability and continuity in the NYPD’s leadership going forward,” he said.
“Commissioner Tisch understands all of the many challenges police officers face on the streets and has been working productively with us to address them. We look forward to continuing that work in the months ahead.”
“This is a great day for New York City Detectives, the NYPD, and the citizens we are proud to serve. Commissioner Tisch will lead us through the challenges we will face,” Scott Munro, head of the Detectives Endowment Association, added.
Tisch’s decision to inform officers before the official announcement dropped was also noted among the ranks, a police source said.
“Very classy to tell the rank and file first,” the source said. “Shows the deep respect she has for the cops and the work they do.”
In a statement announcing the appointment, Mamdani’s team vowed to maintain a department where both “rank-and-file police officers and the communities they serve” are safe.
“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,” Mamdani said.
“Together, we will deliver a city where rank-and-file police officers and the communities they serve alike are safe, represented, and proud to call New York their home.”
