Interim NYC Police Commissioner Donlon expected to step down month after taking job, sources say
NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams is expected to name the city's next police commissioner as soon as next week, continuing to attempt to project stability in his embattled administration.
While there are no plans to make any announcements until next week at the earliest, Interim NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon could step down by the end of this week, ahead of the expected change at the top, sources say.
Donlon found himself under the microscope as law enforcement executed the search warrant at his Upper East Side residence. The search came after they received a tip that he retained classified documents from an investigation during his time with the FBI.
"We're in turmoil right now, so we're looking for some real strong leadership to bring us into a better light right now," said former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce.
Reporters chased after Donlon and Adams following a news conference Thursday evening, in an effort to gain clarity on the situation.
"I must have said this 1,000 times so I'll do it 1,000 and one," Adams said. "When we announce personnel movement, we always let you know. And so the police commissioner is standing next to us right now doing his job, we can't thank him enough for coming in and moving to stabilize."
The subject of the news conference was a city plan to stabilize the subway system by using teams of both police and nurses to help the homeless and keep riders safe.
"Under Mayor Adams' leadership - crime in New York City is down for the ninth straight month," Donlon said.
Although the topic was success in stabilizing the subway, instability at City Hall continues to be at the forefront.
Donlon was initially appointed to serve as interim police commissioner for an undetermined period of time, but Governor Kathy Hochul has since made it clear that she expects the mayor to demonstrate stability at the top levels of city government.
Mayor Adams continues to push back about how much of a hand she has in choosing his appointments. He appeared Friday on the streaming show called "The Reset Talk Show."
"Do you think I would be a puppet mayor and allow others to pick my administration? Is that who I am? Is that who I am as a person? The governor is a partner, she has always been supportive throughout the entire time in office. We've done some great things together. She has continued to be clear on one thing, 'Eric, tell me how I can help you during these times so you can continue to move the city forward like we have together,'" Adams said.
On the shortlist of contenders to serve as the city's top cop is Jessica Tisch, the current Department of Sanitation commissioner who served under the de Blasio administration as the department's Deputy Commissioner for Information Technology.
"She knows how to organize. She knows how to motivate her staff. She knows how-she can motivate the entire police department. She's a great, great leader," said Councilman Robert Holden.
Also on the list is former Deputy Police Commissioner Ben Tucker, who also served under de Blasio, and was considered for the role when Adams took office.
Whomever the mayor picks will be the fourth person to lead the police department under Adams.
The mayor has also indicated filling the position of deputy mayor for public safety is a priority.
So far this week, Adams has accepted the resignations of Phil Banks, his Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, and Sheena Wright, his First Deputy Mayor and second in-command. Appointed to replace Wright is Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer.
But Manhattan prosecutors are now investigating his chief advisor, Ingrid Lewis-Martin. Agents raided her home last month and seized her electronics, joining the U.S. Justice Department in what is said to be a separate investigation into the awarding of city contracts.
The mayor is under pressure from Hochul to stabilize City Hall. The resignations are clearly an attempt to do that, along with the mayor's public face and full-throated denials.
"I did nothing wrong. I hate I'm going through this, I should not be going through this," Adams said. "I've served this city well and anyone that did an analysis of what is being said about me, it is a lie and is wrong. And I'm not going to surrender to lies. And I'm not going to surrender to anyone distorting or besmirching my name. That's not going to happen."
An attorney for Lewis-Martin denied any wrongdoing.
"These searches and any negative connotations associated with them or this preplanned vacation are baseless. Ingrid Lewis-Martin has conducted herself at the highest level of ethical standards while serving this city, and in due time all the facts will come out and will be supported by evidence and demonstrate everything was done properly."
And the administration said in a statement -- "We hold all employees to the highest ethical standards and have been abundantly clear that they must follow the law."
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