NYPD head Keechant Sewell was pushed to ‘breaking point’ by City Hall, including NYC Mayor Eric Adams: sources
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell has announced her resignation, leaving many to wonder why she chose to step down. Sources suggest that a power struggle and breakdown of chain of command within the NYPD, fueled by warring factions and the influence of former cops at City Hall, pushed Sewell to her breaking point. Mayor Adams has been accused of allowing a culture of bypassing the commissioner to develop, either by reporting directly to Deputy Mayor Phillip Banks or to current Adams aide and ex-cop Tim Pearson. Additionally, Adams undermined Sewell’s leadership by approving changes without consulting her and selecting personnel without her input. Sewell, as an outsider pick to run the country’s largest police force, faced challenges in making any changes in the entrenched culture of the NYPD. Ultimately, sources suggest that a lack of support and a difficult work environment led Sewell to resign.
FAQs:
What led to Keechant Sewell’s resignation?
A power struggle within the NYPD, fueled by the influence of former cops at City Hall and warring factions, left Sewell unsupported and powerless at times to run a police department. Additionally, Mayor Adams allowed a culture of bypassing the commissioner to develop, selecting personnel without her input, and making changes without consulting her. Sources suggest that the difficult work environment ultimately led Sewell to resign.
Why was Sewell an outsider pick to run the NYPD?
Sewell was not from the culture of the NYPD but was brought in as an outsider to run the country’s largest police force. She faced challenges in making any changes in the entrenched culture of the NYPD.
Who were the powerful former cops at City Hall that pushed Sewell to resign?
Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Phillip Banks were among the former cops at City Hall who influenced the power struggle within the NYPD.
What changes did Mayor Adams approve without consulting Sewell?
NYPD Chief of Training Juanita Holmes did an end-run around the commissioner to get the mayor to approve removing the time limit on the 1.5-mile run for new recruits at the Police Academy. Additionally, the unapproved appearance of Cardi B at a Girls Talk event at the Police Academy in Queens upset Sewell as she hadn’t been consulted about the event beforehand. However, the mayor later specifically hailed Holmes as “brilliant” for the event.
Did Sewell face challenges from Maddrey’s team?
NYPD Chief Jeff Maddrey, a friend of Adams, formed his own internal department faction after he was named Chief of Department in November. Maddrey oversaw a massive shake-up in the ranks, and he named a number of chiefs to top spots, including Chief John Chell, who the police commissioner did not want for the role, according to sources. In the months that followed, Banks seemed to lose some power as Maddrey’s team ran the day-to-day department operations.
Sources claim that NYC Mayor Eric Adams and City Hall drove NYPD head Keechant Sewell to his ‘breaking point’.
New York City’s Commissioner of Police, Keechant Sewell, resigned after being pushed to her “breaking point” by a cadre of powerful former cops at City Hall, along with warring factions within the NYPD, according to sources. Mayor Adams allowed a power struggle and breakdown of chain of command in the police force, leaving Sewell powerless at times to run the department where longstanding feuds and loyalties to opposing parties are currency. Adams virtually tied her hands from the start by creating a culture that allowed NYPD chiefs to bypass their commissioner by reporting directly to Deputy Mayor Phillip Banks or ex-cop Tim Pearson. Adams’ transition team had already filled the second spot in the NYPD, first deputy commissioner, with Edward Caban even before Sewell had the job.