Cuomo Backs Tisch as NYPD Commissioner in Mayoral Bid

On Sunday, Andrew Cuomo expressed his intention to keep Jessica Tisch as the NYPD commissioner if he becomes mayor. “I think Director Tisch has done a really, really good job,” he mentioned during an appearance on CBS’ “The Point with Marcia Kramer.”

Cuomo stated he would ask her to remain immediately. Kramer inquired about which officials he might retain from former Governor Eric Adams’ administration if he wins the upcoming City Hall race. Although Cuomo lost to Zoran Mamdani in the Democratic primary this past June, he continues to campaign independently under the “Fight and Deliver” ballot line.

In response to a similar inquiry, Mamdani acknowledged he was “actively considering” keeping Tisch in her role.

Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa indicated he would also retain Tisch, affirming his support during an interview.

Security has emerged as a significant theme in this election campaign. Cuomo has proposed adding 5,000 police officers to the force, while Sliwa aims to hire 7,000 more.

Mamdani has attempted to move away from earlier remarks he made in 2020, where he called for defunding the police and characterized police officers as “racist, anti-gay and a threat to public safety.”

At that time, he stated on social media, “What we need to do is #defund the NYPD.” However, he has since apologized for his wording and now asserts he does not view officers as racist and is against defunding police departments, although he hasn’t proposed increasing officer numbers.

To address mental health issues among New Yorkers and bolster crime prevention, Mamdani has suggested establishing a new Department of Human Services. This would enable police to focus on serious crimes rather than handling situations stemming from inadequate social safety nets.

Interestingly, Cuomo and Tisch don’t always align in their perspectives. Tisch has attributed rising crime rates to criminal justice reforms enacted under Cuomo’s administration, including the Age Raise Act of 2020, which changed the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18. “In my opinion, significant changes to New York City’s criminal justice laws have resulted in an increase in crime,” she stated last month.