NYPD Commissioner Tisch Appoints Chief Michael LiPetri Interim Chief of Department

October 8, 2025

New York, New York — New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch today announced the appointment of Chief Michael LiPetri as interim Chief of Department. Chief LiPetri, a 31-year veteran of the NYPD, currently serves as Chief of Crime Control Strategies and is responsible for the design and implementation of the NYPD’s precision policing plan, which has resulted in historic reductions in violent crime.

Chief LiPetri has nearly two decades of experience as an executive in the NYPD, previously serving as the commanding officer of Transit District 32, the 101st, 79th, and 75th Precincts, and the Office of the Chief of Department, among other assignments. He will take over the role from Chief John Chell, who is retiring after 31 years in the NYPD.

“The NYPD’s success depends on precision, data-driven policing and effective leaders who create and execute this strategy,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “Chief LiPetri is a true crime fighter, and under his leadership, the NYPD has delivered record-low shootings across the city and the safest quarter ever on the subways. As the interim Chief of Department, he will continue to lead the NYPD’s work to reduce crime and disorder and build public trust. I would like to thank Chief John Chell for his more than 30 years of service to this department and New York City.”

“For more than 31 years, Chief Mike LiPetri has helped make our city safer and helped ‘Get Stuff Done’ for the people of New York,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “When I say the NYPD has a deep bench, I mean it — throughout his tenure as Chief of Crime Control Strategies, Chief LiPetri was the architect of the NYPD’s successful crimefighting strategy resulting in the lowest number of shooting incidents and shooting victims in recorded history. His ability to quickly assess and deploy resources while fostering partnerships with the community and other agencies makes him the perfect fit for the top uniformed position in the NYPD. I also want to thank Chief of Department John Chell for his more than three decades of service to the city and for leading the NYPD through its seven straight quarters of continuing crime declines. Our city owes him a debt of gratitude.”

As interim Chief of Department, Chief LiPetri is the NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, charged with overseeing the department’s crime-fighting and public safety strategies, quality-of-life initiatives, and operational plans. Chief LiPetri will continue to serve as Chief of Crime Control Strategies — a role he has held for the past six years. Chief LiPetri has a master’s degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is a graduate of both the Columbia University Police Management Institute and the FBI National Academy.