On December 23rd, just two days before Christmas, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner held the final promotion ceremony of the year at headquarters. A total of 123 uniformed and civilian officers were promoted, including several Chinese-American officers. The newly appointed female Commissioner, Jessica Ticsh, emphasized the values she prioritizes during her term: merit and integrity.
A graduate of Harvard University, Commissioner Ticsh, the second female Commissioner in the history of the NYPD, passionately expressed during her speech, “Today’s promotion ceremony is always a special and crucial moment for the NYPD, as it signifies a new group of leaders emerging within the police department, and good, strong, and ethical leadership is the cornerstone of the NYPD.”
Commissioner Ticsh went on to say that every individual promoted was chosen “based on merit,” and she had “very real, very firm expectations” for each promoted individual, that being, “You must continue to approach all your work with integrity and honor.”
“This is my standard, non-negotiable,” Ticsh said. “My term at the police department will mark a new era that combines professionalism, respect, and dedication, and you will be a part of it as we infuse these values into all our work.”
Ticsh reiterated once again that police work carries a “nobility.”
“I fundamentally believe that police work is a moral calling, and this is the way I make all decisions as your Commissioner,” she stated.
From the outset of her tenure, Ticsh has shown a posture of restructuring the organization. Following the swift resignation of former Chief of Police Jeffrey Madrey amid a sex scandal, she also forced out the head of the Internal Affairs Bureau who had been covering up the scandal, dismissed two executives’ drivers who had been abusing overtime pay, and fired the former spokesperson of the police department.
An insider told the New York Post, “(Ticsh) is taking charge, aiming to end the prevalent fraternal atmosphere within the NYPD.”
Several Chinese-American officers were among those promoted at the promotion ceremony held at the NYPD headquarters, including Lei Cui, Sammuel Hui, and Ruibing Lin, who were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and a female civilian staff member, Joanna Chen.