Ray Kelly Endorses NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch Amid Scandal and Sweeping Department Reforms

Ray Kelly Endorses NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch Amid Scandal and Sweeping Department Reforms

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In the wake of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s dramatic shake-up of the nation’s largest police department, former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly has publicly voiced strong support for Tisch, praising her leadership and managerial prowess. As reported by The New York Post on Sunday, Kelly expressed his confidence in Tisch during an interview on WABC radio’s “The Cats Roundtable”, where he described her as a capable leader facing some of the department’s most pressing challenges.

According to The New York Post, Ray Kelly, the longest-serving NYPD commissioner in the department’s history, didn’t mince words when he endorsed Tisch, who previously worked directly under him. “I have a lot of confidence in the new police commissioner, Jessica Tisch. She worked directly for me,” Kelly said during the interview with host John Catsimatidis. Kelly highlighted Tisch’s extensive experience managing large municipal agencies, including her time as Deputy Commissioner of Information Technology, where she oversaw the NYPD’s critical 911 operations.

After her tenure at the NYPD, Tisch went on to lead the city’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications and later the Department of Sanitation. Kelly emphasized her strong managerial style, calling her a “stern taskmaster” and an “excellent manager.” As noted by The New York Post, Kelly believes Tisch is steering the NYPD in the right direction during a period marked by scandal and public distrust.

Tisch’s bold actions came in response to the overtime abuse and misconduct scandal that erupted after The New York Post revealed allegations against former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey. Maddrey was accused of exchanging lucrative overtime opportunities for sexual favors from Lieutenant Quathisha Epps. The scandal shook the NYPD to its core and led to Maddrey’s abrupt resignation.

As The New York Post reported, Tisch’s response was swift and decisive. In a Saturday purge, she removed dozens of top brass from the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB), including Deputy Chief Chris Morello, Inspector Joseph Profeta, and Inspector Michael Ricciardi. These moves were accompanied by reassignments of multiple other officers, with many sent to patrol duty in precincts across the city. Kelly, reflecting on these changes, said the NYPD faces “tough times,” but he remains optimistic about the future of the department under Tisch’s leadership.

Kelly’s interview, as detailed by The New York Post, also touched on the broader challenges confronting the NYPD. He acknowledged that the department, with its 54,000 members, will always face issues. However, he pointed to the recent overtime abuse scandal and high attrition rates as critical problems demanding urgent solutions.

“We’ve had tough times in the department. We had the overtime scandal. People are leaving in big numbers,” Kelly noted during the interview. While optimistic about Tisch’s leadership, he hinted at broader systemic challenges that go beyond the NYPD, including political and cultural shifts in the city.

While Kelly had glowing praise for Tisch, his assessment of Mayor Eric Adams was far less complimentary. Kelly expressed skepticism about Adams’ ability to lead the city effectively. With Adams facing re-election in 2025 and federal corruption charges looming, Kelly’s doubts reflect growing concerns among some New Yorkers about the mayor’s leadership.

Kelly criticized the decline in public safety and quality of life in New York City, noting that the city’s “renaissance” during the Giuliani and Bloomberg administrations has been taken for granted. He asserted that the downturn began under former Mayor Bill de Blasio and accused Mayor Adams of failing to reverse the trend.

“The city’s quality of life and crime started to worsen under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, and I don’t think Mayor Adams has done anything to change that,” Kelly told The New York Post. He also criticized the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America on the City Council, suggesting that their policies have contributed to some of the NYPD’s current challenges.

Despite the political turbulence surrounding the NYPD and City Hall, Kelly remains confident in Tisch’s leadership. Tisch is navigating a complex landscape of internal reforms, external scrutiny, and a city struggling with public safety concerns. Her recent actions, including reassigning top IAB officials and reversing improper personnel transfers, demonstrate her commitment to rooting out systemic failures within the NYPD.

Kelly emphasized that while the department’s problems are significant, they are not insurmountable under Tisch’s guidance. Her track record in managing large agencies, her no-nonsense leadership style, and her willingness to make difficult decisions position her as a strong figure capable of restoring trust and accountability in the NYPD.

Kelly did not hold back when discussing the role of the New York City Council in shaping public safety policies. According to The New York Post, Kelly accused the Council of actively working to “tie the hands of the police” with legislation and policies that hinder law enforcement’s ability to maintain order and combat crime effectively.

“The City Council has been a real problem … for the city and certainly for the police department,” Kelly said. “They want to tie the hands of the police. They continue to do it. They certainly hurt the quality of life in New York by doing that.”

These criticisms echo concerns raised by many NYPD officials and rank-and-file officers who have expressed frustration over recent reforms, including limitations on stop-and-frisk tactics, reduced qualified immunity protections for officers, and increased scrutiny over police conduct. Kelly emphasized that the upcoming local elections will be pivotal in determining whether the city can reverse these perceived declines in public safety and urban management.

“These elections are going to be very important,’’ Kelly told The New York Post, signaling that the city’s political leadership must align more closely with public safety priorities to address the challenges facing New Yorkers.

Beyond local issues, Kelly turned his attention to national concerns, particularly the ongoing crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. According to the information provided in The New York Post report, Kelly expressed disbelief at the Biden administration’s handling of immigration, characterizing the border situation as chaotic and damaging to national security.

“I just can’t believe what happened at the border. There was no explanation why that was going on,” Kelly said.

Kelly’s frustration reflects growing national concern over the influx of undocumented migrants and the strain it places on law enforcement, public resources, and local governments. He emphasized the need for a dramatic shift in immigration policy to regain control of the border and ensure national security.

Kelly was notably optimistic about the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House, suggesting that Trump’s approach to immigration and border security represents a necessary “course correction” for the nation. As reported by The New York Post, Kelly believes Trump’s presidency would bring a more aggressive stance on deportations and stricter border enforcement policies.

“Trump will send a good signal that there is a new sheriff in town by ramping up deportations of illegal migrants, particularly criminals,’’ Kelly said.

Kelly’s comments align with Trump’s campaign promises to reinstate policies aimed at curbing illegal immigration and prioritizing the deportation of criminal offenders. Kelly argued that without stricter border controls, the United States risks losing its sovereignty and ability to function as a secure nation.

“We need to protect our borders. Otherwise, we won’t have a country,” Kelly told The New York Post.

Throughout his interview, Kelly emphasized the importance of strong, decisive leadership at both local and national levels. He made it clear that addressing crime, improving police morale, and securing the nation’s borders require coordinated efforts and political will.

Kelly’s remarks come at a time when New York City is grappling with rising crime rates, ongoing police staffing shortages, and increased tensions between City Hall, the NYPD, and the City Council. Furthermore, the federal government faces mounting pressure to address the humanitarian and security crises along the southern border.

Ray Kelly’s opinions carry significant weight given his storied career in law enforcement. He served as NYPD Commissioner under Mayors David Dinkins and Michael Bloomberg, as well as heading the U.S. Customs Service under President Bill Clinton. His decades of experience in urban policing, counterterrorism, and federal law enforcement provide him with a unique perspective on both local and national challenges.

As The New York Post report highlighted, Kelly’s criticism of the City Council, concerns about border security, and support for Trump’s return to office reflect a broader frustration with current political leadership. However, they also point to a path forward—one that emphasizes accountability, decisive leadership, and a commitment to public safety.

As New York City navigates its complex challenges, voices such as Ray Kelly’s remind both policymakers and citizens of the critical importance of leadership, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding both the city and the nation.