New York Metropolis made historical past this 12 months with two ladies appointed to steer the nation's largest fireplace and police departments for the primary time ever. And a type of ladies, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, stated it is about time such appointments turn out to be regular.
"I hold saying that I believe we have to normalize ladies in these roles," she stated Monday on "CBS Mornings." "Whereas these appointments are historic, and we do not take them frivolously, the work we do is what issues. And we can't be the final in these roles."
Sewell's remarks got here throughout her first joint interview with FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, who was sworn into the function late final month. In addition to being town's first feminine commissioner within the fireplace division's 157-year historical past, Kavanagh can be one of many youngest to serve within the function, at 40 years previous.
"It means loads to me," Kavanagh stated of her history-making appointment. "I hope to encourage different individuals to see themselves in positions that possibly they'd by no means considered earlier than. I hope it opens the door."
Sewell led the Nassau County Police Division on Lengthy Island earlier than changing into the first lady to steer the NYPD earlier this 12 months. As simply the third Black commissioner within the division's historical past, she stated she was at all times looking for the following problem in her profession.
"I sought the following factor, regardless of the subsequent factor was, regardless of the subsequent check was, regardless of the subsequent problem was, I used to be up for it," Sewell stated.
"I believe each of us are up for this problem. These lights could also be sizzling, however we're prepared for them," she stated, referring to the "vivid" and "sizzling" highlight she typically faces as chief of the NYPD.
Kavanagh joined the FDNY in 2014 and had been serving as interim commissioner since February. She was not a firefighter herself however would not see that as a detriment.
"I run massive issues. I have been a fixer most of my profession, and there are lots of people who run these organizations who do not come up the ranks," she stated. "I see myself as an advocate for members and a CEO of a big company."
The 2 commissioners repeatedly praised the 1000's of officers and firefighters who threat their lives for New Yorkers day-after-day.
"It truly is such a tremendous group. The women and men who do that work are so extraordinary," Kavanagh stated. "If that is what you see on a regular basis, irrespective of how arduous the day within the workplace is, they encourage me, they hold me going."
The joint interview occurred two days after a gunman opened fireplace inside an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, killing 5 individuals and leaving greater than 20 others wounded. New York State Police stated they had been working with the NYPD to observe on-line hate and any potential targets within the metropolis.
"Something that occurs throughout the nation, that horrific, we monitor, and we need to make it possible for now we have our belongings in place to have the ability to supply consolation for our communities," Sewell stated. "We work nicely with our communities. We need to make it possible for they're protected, and we actually imagine that now we have the sources to have the opportunity do this."
Sewell additionally addressed a current spate of assaults on town's subway system, saying the NYPD has "surged 1000's of officers into the subway" and now makes bulletins on the trains to let individuals know when there are cops on board.