NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch sent a not-so-subtle message Monday that she won’t accept anything less than “ethical leadership” on the heels of sex harassment allegations emerging against the department’s highest-ranking uniformed officer.
“Leadership is the cornerstone of the NYPD — good, strong, ethical leadership,” Tisch said during a promotion ceremony at NYPD Headquarters at 1 Police Plaza in lower Manhattan.
”Promotions is always a special and important moment in the NYPD because it means a new group of leaders are rising up.”
“Leadership is not a buzzword to evoke casually,” she added. “I want to be very clear that there are very real, very firm expectations of everyone who receives the honor of advancing to a higher rank in the NYPD.”
The nation’s largest police department is reeling from the Friday resignation of Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.
Maddrey has been accused by an underling, Lt. Quathisha Epps, in a complaint she filed with the U.S. Equal employment Opportunity Commission of repeatedly demanding sex from her “in exchange for overtime opportunities in the workplace.”
Maddrey’s replacement, Interim Chief of Department John Chell, was on the dais as the ceremony took place, as was Interim Chief of Patrol Phil Rivera, who took over Chell’s former position.
Tisch in her comments, which lasted 4 minutes-and-a-half, made no mention of Maddrey or the overtime controversy.
She told the 127 members being promoted — 20 civilians, the rest cops, including one other chief, three inspectors and five deputy inspectors — that they got there “on merit.”
“You’re put forth because of your talents and you’re here because you have done your best and you have done it with integrity,” Tisch said.
“You must continue to lead with integrity and with honor in all of your work. That is my standard — and it is as clear as it is non-negotiable.”
The top cop was sworn in last month, replacing Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon, who had the spot since the September retirement of Commissioner Edward Caban, whose phone was seized by the feds amid a sprawling investigation that involves other police and City Hall officials.
Most commissioners typically shuffle the deck, replacing top brass, though such moves have seldom been made in such a charged environment.
She said at the promotion ceremony, attended by hundreds of the promotees’ colleagues and relatives, that there is now “a new era of professionalism, of respect and of dedication that will define the NYPD under my tenure.”
“We are consciously and decisively turning the page,” she added, “to ensure that we always match the lofty ideals and values that make this department the envy of the world.”
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