NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon took a strong stance in his first hours on the job, asserting his authority by declaring himself as the sole voice of the department. However, Mayor Eric Adams quickly intervened to prevent Donlon from making immediate changes to the upper ranks of the NYPD due to an ongoing federal probe that had previously led to the ousting of former Commissioner Edward Caban. Despite this setback, Adams is hopeful that Donlon, a retired FBI official, will help rebuild the NYPD’s reputation until a permanent commissioner is appointed.
Despite facing a federal raid related to materials from a previous job, Donlon seems determined to make his mark during his temporary tenure as police commissioner. In his first meeting with executive staff, he announced plans to implement a “one voice” policy for NYPD messaging, which would limit the social media activity of high-ranking officials. Donlon’s directive received mixed reactions from the brass, who are used to using social media as a tool for public safety communication. However, critics argue that recent social media posts by top officials have been unprofessional. As a result of Donlon’s directive, NYPD officials have remained quiet on social media.
Donlon’s plans for the NYPD also include pausing proactive police work, particularly with the Community Response Team, a unit that replaced the disbanded anti-crime unit. He is surrounding himself with a group of trusted advisers, but is facing resistance from existing police brass who are hesitant to make any changes due to the ongoing federal investigation. City Hall officials and Adams are cautious about initiating any shakeups within the NYPD until the extent of the federal probe is known, as they do not want to interfere with the investigation or potentially implicate individuals who may not be involved in any wrongdoing.
Despite the challenges he faces, Donlon is committed to leading the NYPD and emphasized collaboration in his first department-wide message. He aims to work towards making the city safer and rebuilding the department’s image. Adams and City Hall are supportive of Donlon’s efforts but are also mindful of the sensitive situation with the federal investigation. They want to give the next permanent commissioner the opportunity to shape the department as they see fit, leading to a cautious approach towards any major changes within the NYPD. In the meantime, Donlon will continue to serve as interim commissioner and work towards improving the safety and public perception of the nation’s largest police force.
