The Issue: NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell’s resignation after power struggles with Mayor Adams.
I was hoping NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell would last longer after the The Post’s reporting on her being undermined by the mayor for doing the right thing in disciplining an abusive police captain (June 13).
But she leaves with class and for the right reasons. I am grateful for her resolve during two years of hell for this city. Godspeed.
Jorge Sierra
The Bronx
Adams, you and your buddy, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, should have told Chief Jeffrey Maddrey to put in his papers immediately — and kept Sewell.
Chief Maddrey was recently found guilty of abusing his authority.
Ed Rankin
Floral Park
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s heavy meddling in the affairs of the MTA prompted talented New York City Transit chief Andy Byford to leave.
Unfortunately, Adams appears to be following suit by micromanaging the NYPD.
We wish Commissioner Sewell success in her new endeavors. Let’s not chase talent away, New York. Hire talented people and give them the space to do their jobs.
Deirdre Harvey
Valley Stream
When Sewell was appointed NYPD commissioner, many New Yorkers were skeptical about her ability to handle the job. She has proven those skeptics wrong.
Commissioner Sewell immersed herself in her new position and handled it well. And I don’t recall ever seeing photos of her hobnobbing with celebrities at late-night parties.
I think Mayor Adams’ problem was that she did the job too well. His egotism couldn’t handle anyone in his administration being more intelligent and more respected than he was.
I have a feeling that Commissioner Sewell’s relationship with NYC isn’t over — not by a long shot.
Be careful, Mr. Mayor: There may be a thoroughbred, with some close New York City allies in her corner, in the next race for mayor.
Dick Mills
Bardonia
While conjecture swirls as to why Sewell resigned, here is my take: Keechant Sewell never had a chance to succeed.
Instead of reporting directly to the mayor, which was customary, she was hampered by an unnecessary layer of oversight with the appointment of Philip Banks as deputy mayor for public safety.
His position was created out of whole cloth by Mayor Adams, who has a brazen penchant for taking care of friends. What does a mayor for public safety do?
While Adams received the symbolic benefit of appointing the first woman as police commissioner, she was doomed from Day One.
Sewell was bright. Her first public remarks at the funeral mass for two slain officers at St. Patrick’s cathedral drew wide admiration (perhaps to the chagrin of Adams, whose remarks were pedestrian compared to hers).
Sewell’s legacy is one of stoic dignity and inspiration to every woman of color. She will be remembered.
Phil Serpico
Queens
Former NYPD chief and Commissioner of Emergency Management Joe Esposito is by far the only person on the face of the earth suited to head the NYPD. Mayor Adams, just do it.
Louie Scarcella
Brooklyn
Adams has dropped the ball (once again) by losing a rising star in Police Commissioner Sewell.
In spite of Adams, the streetwise Sewell was innovative and used her 22 years of law-enforcement experience as she reduced major crime across the city.
She gave her officers the benefit of the doubt and, unlike the mayor, she wasn’t afraid to challenge Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the woke Civilian Complaint Review Board.
Sewell will be sorely missed by the police department and the city. But if the spring is any indication of what’s to come this summer, she was wise to get out when she did.
Nicholas Maffei
Yonkers
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