{{short description|American police officer}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Keechant Sewell | image = Keechant Sewell.jpg | image_size = 200px | caption = Commissioner Sewell in 2022 | office = 45th New York City Police Commissioner | appointer = Eric Adams | term_start = January 1, 2022<ref>{{cite news | first=Emma | last=Fitzsimmons | title = Keechant Sewell to Become First Woman and African-American Woman to Lead N.Y.P.D. | newspaper=The New York Times | date = December 14, 2021 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/14/nyregion/keechant-sewell-nypd-commissioner.html | access-date = December 15, 2021}}</ref> | term_end = June 30, 2023 | preceded = Dermot Shea | successor = Edward Caban | office2 = Chief of Detectives of the<br>Nassau County Police Department | term_start2 = September 24, 2020 | term_end2 = December 31, 2021 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|April 2, 1972}} | birth_place = New York City, U.S.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 16, 2021|title=Incoming NYPD commissioner says judges should have discretion to keep people in custody ''Interview she states born in Manhattan (Time 7:43)''|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2021/12/16/incoming-nypd-commissioner-says-judges-should-have-discretion-to-keep-people-in-custody#|website=www.NY1.com}}</ref> | succeeded2 = Christopher Ferro | 1blankname2 = Commissioner | 1namedata2 = Patrick Ryder }} '''Keechant L. Sewell''' (born April 2, 1972) is an American baseball executive, former police officer and administrator. Sewell is currently the New York Mets Senior Vice President of Security and Guest Experience.<ref>{{cite news| first=Hurubie| last= Meko |title=Mets Hire the Former N.Y.P.D Commissioner Keechant Sewell | newspaper=The New York Times | date= November 2, 2023 | url= https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/02/nyregion/keechant-sewell-mets-nypd.html |access-date= November 3, 2023}} </ref> She previously served as the 45th New York City Police Commissioner, the first woman and third black person to serve in the position.<ref name=firstfemaleNYPDhead>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/keechant-sewell-sworn-nypds-first-female-police-commissioner-rcna10572|title=Keechant Sewell sworn in as NYPD's first female police commissioner|first=Rhoda|last=Kwan|publisher=NBC News|date=January 1, 2021|accessdate=January 1, 2022}}</ref> On June 12, 2023, Sewell announced that she was stepping down as commissioner. No reason was given for her departure.<ref>{{cite news | first=Maria Cramer | last=Chelsia Rose Marcius | title = N.Y.P.D. Commissioner Keechant Sewell to Resign | newspaper=The New York Times | date = June 12, 2023 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/nyregion/keechant-sewell-resign-nypd.html | access-date = June 12, 2023}}</ref>
==Early life== Sewell was raised in the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City, including at the Queensbridge Houses. She later lived in the Queens neighborhoods of Corona and Jamaica.<ref>{{cite news | first=Emma | last=Fitzsimmons | title = Keechant Sewell to Become First Woman to Lead N.Y.P.D. | newspaper=The New York Times | date = December 14, 2021 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/14/nyregion/keechant-sewell-nypd-commissioner.html | access-date = December 15, 2021}}</ref>
==Career==
===Nassau County Police Department=== In October 1997, Sewell became a police officer assigned to Nassau County Police Department's Fifth Precinct. Sewell was eventually promoted through the ranks to become the commanding officer of the 7th Precinct<ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 15, 2021|title=About SMCCA|url=https://southmerrickcivic.org/about-smcca-page|date=December 15, 2021}}</ref> and then, by 2016, commanding officer of the major case squad.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=January 22, 2016|title=Ronald Bishop of Hempstead arrested on weapons, drug charges|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/ronald-bishop-of-hempstead-arrested-on-weapons-drug-charges-d65000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124005353/http://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/ronald-bishop-of-hempstead-arrested-on-weapons-drug-charges-1.11352989|url-status=live|archive-date=January 24, 2016|website=www.newsday.com}}</ref> In 2008 Sewell had attended the FBI National Academy,<ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 15, 2021|title=New York's Next Police Boss, a Queens Native, Comes 'Full Circle'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/15/nyregion/keechant-sewell-nypd-commissioner.html/|website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 15, 2021|title='My shoes are laced up, I'm ready to get to work,' incoming NYC Police Commissioner Sewell says|url=https://abc7ny.com/keechant-sewell-nypd-police-commissioner-eric-adams-new/11342587/|website=abc7ny.com|date=December 15, 2021}}</ref> and other assignments included the Professional Standards Bureau, Internal Affairs, and training with the FBI to be the county's chief hostage negotiator. On September 24, 2020, Sewell was promoted to NCPD's chief of detectives, commanding a staff of approximately 350 officers.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=September 24, 2019|title=Nassau PD promotes 22-year veteran as chief of detectives|url=https://longisland.news12.com/22-year-veteran-chief-of-detectives|website=longisland.news12.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=September 24, 2019|title=NCPD promotes first Black woman as chief of detectives|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/nassau-police-promotions-sewell-y09897|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925085251/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/nassau-police-promotions-sewell-1.49743643|url-status=live|archive-date=September 25, 2020|website=www.newsday.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jake |last=Offenhartz |title=Eric Adams Picks Nassau County PD Chief Keechant Sewell To Be First Female NYPD Commissioner |newspaper=The Gothamist |date =December 14, 2021 |url= https://gothamist.com/news/eric-adams-picks-nassau-county-pd-chief-keechant-sewell-be-first-female-nypd-commissioner |access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref>
Sewell was also a member of the New York–New Jersey Joint-Terrorism Task Force.<ref>{{cite news|last=Craig McCarthy|first=Julia Marsh|date=December 14, 2021|title=Eric Adams picks Keechant Sewell as the first female police commissioner of the NYPD|newspaper=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2021/12/14/keechant-sewell-named-nypds-first-female-police-commissioner/|access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref>
===New York City Police Commissioner=== On December 14, 2021, it was announced that Sewell would be appointed as the 45th New York City police commissioner by Mayor-Elect Eric Adams. She became the first female commissioner of the New York Police Department,<ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 14, 2019|title=Keechant Sewell Expected To Be Appointed Next NYPD Commissioner: Sources|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/keechant-sewell-expected-to-be-appointed-next-nypd-commissioner/3440175/|website=NBC New York}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 14, 2019|title=Keechant Sewell to be named NYC's first woman police commissioner|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/public-safety/2021/12/15/nyc-police-commissioner-eric-adams-pick-first-woman|website=NY1.com}}</ref> and its third black commissioner.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 14, 2019|title=Nassau County chief to take over as NYPD commissioner, police sources say|url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/nassau-county-chief-to-take-over-top-nypd-job-police-sources-say/|website=pix11.com}}</ref> She oversaw 35,000 uniformed officers and 18,000 civilians.<ref>{{cite news | first=Rob | last=Frehse | title = Keechant Sewell will be NYC's first female police commissioner | newspaper=CNN| date = December 14, 2021 | url = https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/14/us/keechant-sewell-nyc-first-female-police-commissioner/index.html | access-date = December 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= Olafimihan | last= Oshin | title = Incoming NYC mayor to appoint city's first female police | newspaper=The Hill | date = December 14, 2021 | url = https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/585855-incoming-nyc-mayor-to-appoint-citys-first-female-police-commissioner | access-date = December 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | title = Keechant Sewell To Be Named Next NYC Police Commissioner | newspaper=CBS News | date = December 14, 2021 | url = https://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/6172976-keechant-sewell-to-be-named-next-nyc-police-commissioner/| access-date = December 15, 2021}}</ref> On January 1, 2022, Sewell was officially sworn in as commissioner of the New York Police Department. Sewell was criticized for publicly accepting the appointment in front of a mural of Assata Shakur, convicted of killing a police officer.<ref>{{cite news | last = Miller | first = Andrew | date = December 15, 2021 | title = Eric Adams' new NYPD commissioner appointed in front of a mural of radicals and a cop killer.| url = https://news.yahoo.com/eric-adams-nypd-commissioner-appointed-235133447.html | work=Yahoo! News | access-date = January 17, 2022 | archive-date = December 17, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211217230147/https://news.yahoo.com/eric-adams-nypd-commissioner-appointed-235133447.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>
Sometime during late May 2023, the Police Commissioner and other members of the Adams administration devised a plan using a web portal to seek the public's input on solving cold cases in which gay men were victimized.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gaycitynews.com/city-invites-new-yorkers-request-re-evaluation-lgbtq-cold-cases/|title=City invites New Yorkers to submit requests to re-evaluate LGBTQIA+ cold cases|first=Matt|last=Tracy|date=June 8, 2023|access-date=June 12, 2023|website=gaycitynews.com}}</ref>
On June 12, 2023, Sewell resigned as Commissioner of the NYPD.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abc7ny.com/keechant-sewell-nypd-police-commissioner-resign/13376808/|title=Who could replace NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell?|date=June 13, 2023|access-date=June 13, 2023|website=ABC7 New York}}</ref> While no official reason was given for her resignation, ''The New York Times'' reported that she felt frustrated and undermined by City Hall, noting that the Adams administration required its approval for police promotions and handpicked the first deputy commissioner and chief of department.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cramer |first=Maria |last2=Marcius |first2=Chelsia Rose |date=2023-06-17 |title=What a Commissioner’s Abrupt Exit Says About the N.Y.P.D. Under Adams |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/17/nyregion/keechant-sewell-nypd.html |access-date=2023-06-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Adams in a statement said, "I want to thank Police Commissioner Sewell for her devotion over the last 18 months and her steadfast leadership. Her efforts played a leading role in this administration's tireless work to make New York City safer. When we came into office, crime was trending upwards, and thanks to the brave men and women of the NYPD, most of the major crime categories are now down. The commissioner worked nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a year and a half, and we are all grateful for her service. New Yorkers owe her a debt of gratitude."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abc7amarillo.com/politics-interfere-with-public-safety-efforts-as-police-chiefs-leave-big-city-police-departments-baltimore-new-york-keechant-sewell-eric-adams-michael-harrison-brandon-scott-crime-arrests-violence|title=Politics interfere with public safety efforts as police chiefs leave big city police departments|date=June 15, 2023|access-date=June 15, 2023|website=ABC7 Amarillo}}</ref>
PBA President Pat Lynch stated that Sewell, "took over a police department in crisis and faced tremendous challenges from day one. She cared about the cops on the street and was always open to working with us to improve their lives and working conditions. There are still enormous challenges facing the NYPD. Her leadership will be sorely missed."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/06/12/nypd-commissioner-keechant-sewell-resignation|title=NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell stepping down|date=June 12, 2023|access-date=June 15, 2023|website=Spectrum News}}</ref>
Sewell was replaced by Edward Caban, who was hand-picked by Mayor Adams to be the first deputy commissioner under Sewell.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cramer |first=Maria |last2=Zraick |first2=Karen |date=17 July 2023 |title=Edward Caban Becomes First Latino Police Commissioner in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/nyregion/edward-caban-latino-police-commissioner-ny.html |work=New York Times}}</ref>
==Personal life== At the time of her appointment as New York City Police Commissioner, Sewell was residing in Valley Stream, New York.<ref>{{cite web | date=December 15, 2021|title=NYPD's First Woman Commissioner Faces Applause And Skepticism | url=https://gothamist.com/news/nypds-first-woman-commissioner-faces-applause-and-skepticism|access-date=December 15, 2021|website=gothamist.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= Julia Marsh| last= Craig McCarthy | title = Eric Adams picks Keechant Sewell as the first female police commissioner of the NYPD | newspaper=New York Post | date = December 15, 2019 | url= https://nypost.com/2021/12/14/keechant-sewell-named-nypds-first-female-police-commissioner/ | access-date = December 21, 2021}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{S-start}} {{s-civ|pol}} {{s-bef|before=Dermot Shea}} {{s-ttl|title=New York City Police Commissioner|years=January 1, 2022–June 30, 2023}} {{s-aft|after=Edward Caban}} {{S-end}}
{{New York City Police Commissioner}} {{Eric Adams cabinet}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sewell, Keechant}} Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:People from Long Island City, Queens Category:New York City police commissioners Category:New York City Police Department officers Category:New York Mets executives Category:African-American police officers Category:American women police officers Category:FBI National Academy graduates Category:20th-century African-American women Category:21st-century African-American women