After 18 months of serving as the first female police commissioner in New York City, James P. O’Neill announced the resignation of Chief of Department Terence Monahan from his position. The announcement came as a surprise to many, as Monahan had been seen as a rising star in the NYPD and had been widely praised for his efforts to improve community relations.
Monahan’s resignation comes at a time when the NYPD is facing increasing scrutiny over its handling of protests and allegations of misconduct by officers. In recent weeks, there have been calls for the department to be defunded or disbanded altogether, and some have criticized Monahan for his role in the department’s response to the protests.
Despite these challenges, Monahan had been seen as a strong leader within the NYPD. He had worked his way up through the ranks over the course of his 39-year career, and had served as Chief of Department since 2018. During his tenure, he had implemented a number of reforms aimed at improving community relations and reducing crime.
One of Monahan’s most notable accomplishments was his work on the NYPD’s Neighborhood Policing program. This initiative, which was launched in 2015, aims to build trust between police officers and the communities they serve by assigning officers to specific neighborhoods and encouraging them to engage with residents on a regular basis.
Under Monahan’s leadership, the program was expanded to cover all 77 precincts in the city. He also oversaw the creation of a new Community Affairs Bureau, which is responsible for building relationships between the NYPD and community groups.
Despite these efforts, Monahan’s tenure was not without controversy. In particular, he faced criticism over the department’s response to protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Some activists accused the NYPD of using excessive force against protesters, and called for Monahan to be held accountable.
In his resignation letter, Monahan acknowledged that his decision to step down was motivated in part by the challenges facing the NYPD. “I believe that it is time for a change in leadership,” he wrote. “The department is facing some of the most difficult challenges in its history, and I believe that it is time for someone else to take the helm.”
Monahan’s resignation has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised him for his dedication to improving community relations and reducing crime, while others have criticized him for his handling of the protests. Regardless of one’s opinion, however, it is clear that Monahan’s departure marks the end of an era for the NYPD, and that whoever takes his place will have big shoes to fill.
