Last week, Keechant Sewell, the first woman to become police commissioner in New York City, resigned from her position and speculation and intrigue followed; however, New Yorkers seem uninterested in this story of chain of command and micromanagement at City Hall.
What they really care about is the safety of their communities. If this is a story about how a strong Black woman shattered the glass ceiling, only to be disregarded by the old boy’s club, it would pique more interest.
until a mother can let her child walk safely and freely on the streets of Brooklyn or a commuter can enter the subway without the fear of being pushed onto the tracks, the individuals at 1 Police Plaza are not significant.
In a farewell letter to New Yorkers, Sewell stated, “I have always aspired to bring you and your officers closer. I believe we have charted a course and implemented initiatives that will have a lasting impact on that relationship.”
Her words, though nice, pale in comparison to the truth that unless your name is Bill Bratton, Ray Kelly, or Theodore Roosevelt, nobody will remember who is leading the police department. Sewell knew exactly what she was getting into when she assumed the position. As long as Eric Adams is the mayor of New York City, there will only be one police commissioner – and that is Eric Adams.
Adams, a retired police captain, appointed Phillip Banks, a former NYPD chief of department, as his deputy mayor. “If you don’t inspect what you expect it’s all suspect,” Adams frequently says. “Some people would say it’s a management problem. I don’t. Listen, I’m going to work harder than every New Yorker in this city to get the product that we deserve.”
Sewell should have been a law enforcement superstar after breaking the barriers, but her humble approach and credit-giving nature may have been her downfall.
TV’s Regina Heywood, the deputy inspector who leads a Brooklyn precinct in the CBS drama “East New York,” seems to have a similar experience as Sewell.
Heywood, despite her achievements, continuously clashed with men in higher positions. Finally, she has one more thing in common with Sewell: “East New York,” with its loyal following, has been discontinued by the network. Neither Sewell nor Heywood will be returning.
The resignation of Keechant Sewell last week has been the talk of New York City. Blamed on various factors, a few believe that marginalization by the old boys network might have been one of the reasons for her resignation.
Sewell’s resignation came as a shock to many New Yorkers and those in the police department as well. People had expected her to do a great job as the police commissioner of New York City. However, New Yorkers feel that, instead of worrying about who is running the show or the micromanagement that takes place at City Hall, it is time to focus on the larger picture of safety and security in their communities.
Although Sewell mentioned she always aimed to bring the police department and New Yorkers closer together, there is a feeling that nobody will remember her as the police commissioner.
New Yorkers acknowledge Bratton, Kelly, and Roosevelt as the distinguished leaders who will be remembered for their contribution to the city.
Sewell, despite being the first woman to hold this office, will soon be forgotten. Adams will remain the police commissioner of New York City, and the current narrative of who is running what will disappear like smoke.
It was a significant milestone to have the first woman police commissioner of New York City, Keechant Sewell.
But for someone to succeed in this position, the fundamental aspects required are communication, dedication, and the trustworthiness of fellow officials. Sewell tried to bring the officers together with New Yorkers, but as long as the situation on the streets doesn’t change, Sewell’s legacy will not thrive.
The safety of every New Yorker is first and foremost, and if that were in control, nobody would be discussing who the police commissioner is or what duties he or she has been assigned.
New York City has had its fair share of controversies regarding police leadership. However, the focus remains on the safety and protection of New Yorkers. Resignations and appointments are a part of the game, but it is essential not to forget the bigger picture, which is the safety of people on the streets.
Until there is a sense of security, nobody will be interested in the political dramas running behind the scenes. Adams has already been appointed as the police commissioner, and the chapter of Sewell’s time as commissioner has come to an end.
There are times when the most significant changes are made with a small step. Keechant Sewell’s appointment as New York City’s first woman police commissioner was one such step. She attempted to bring officers and the community closer together, but that wasn’t enough.
When security and the safety of fellow New Yorkers are at stake, it is a mammoth task that requires trust, mutual respect, and effective communication between everyone involved. Whoever holds the position of the police commissioner should understand his role’s gravity, but without action, that appointment becomes irrelevant.
New York City is a place where dreams come true, but it is also a city where anything can happen. For Sewell, it was a dream come true to be the police commissioner and break the glass ceiling. However, reality hit her soon enough, and her dreams came crashing down.
Maybe it was because of the micromanagement at City Hall, or maybe it was because of marginalization by the old boy’s club. Whatever the reason might be, it is time to forget those who sit behind desks and focus on the safety of the people on the streets.
Keechant Sewell’s resignation as the police commissioner of New York City has opened up a can of worms. People are talking about micromanagement at City Hall and the difficulties that Sewell faced in performing her job.
However, the bigger issue lies in the fact that the safety of people on the streets is a top priority. The appointment of Eric Adams as the police commissioner shows that he is committed to creating a safer environment for New Yorkers.
Whoever holds the position of the police commissioner should take the initiative to eradicate fear and ensure that communities feel safe.
New York City cannot be governed by one person alone. It requires a collective effort and the will power of everyone involved. Keechant Sewell’s resignation cannot be looked at from a single perspective, as there are various factors to consider.
As much as there might be discussions regarding micromanagement and marginalization, the fact remains that communities need to feel secure.
The appointment of Eric Adams as the police commissioner indicates that he is committed to the safety of New Yorkers, and that should be welcomed by everyone.
The resignation of Keechant Sewell has highlighted the challenges that come with being a police commissioner. Although she tried her best to bring officers and the community together, her efforts did not yield significant results.
Instead, a sense of fear and insecurity prevails. Therefore, it is not about who is running the show, but rather, about the steps they are taking to ensure that people on the streets feel safe and protected. Eric Adams’ appointment as the police commissioner indicates that he is willing to take the necessary steps to ensure that New Yorkers feel secure.
The New York City Police Department has been through multiple rounds of change regarding leadership. Navigating through these changes requires someone who is willing to take the initiative, and that is why Eric Adams’ appointment as the police commissioner holds so much significance.
Keechant Sewell’s resignation should not be evaluated based on micromanagement or the old boy’s club but rather on the need to create a safe environment for all New Yorkers.
Whoever takes up the position of the police commissioner should understand that his role is not just about managing a team but also about creating a safer community.
New York City needs a leader who can bring positive change and security to the citizens. The resignation of Keechant Sewell has opened up new avenues of discussion about micromanagement and the old boy’s club.
However, these discussions only divert attention from the bigger issue, which is the safety of people on the streets.
Eric Adams’ appointment as the police commissioner should provide hope to every New Yorker, as he is committed to taking the necessary steps to create a secure environment. Keechant Sewell’s story should inspire future generations to strive towards breaking barriers and creating a safer environment for the people around them.