Experts say NYPD commissioner resigned because she was made ‘powerless.’ The mayor disagrees.

A day after the NYPD’s first female commissioner announced her plans to resign, Mayor Eric Adams said he had unwavering faith in her ability to lead. But members of law enforcement and policing experts told Gothamist his actions told a different story — saying Adams, a former officer himself, regularly undermined his commissioner — a habit that may have finally driven her from her post…

Former officer Jillian Snider, also a professor at John Jay, said she believed that Sewell felt “powerless” in her role. In a text message, she said Adams “chiseled away her independence and diminished the astute leadership abilities she possesses” by hiring Banks as the deputy mayor of public safety — a position that has not existed in recent administrations…

Sewell was the first woman to lead the nation’s largest police department, a historic pick that followed promises from Adams on the campaign trail to pick a female commissioner. But several observers noted that, even though a woman was technically in charge, it seemed like the men around her were making many of the decisions.

“At a time when police morale is already at an all-time low, having the first female police commissioner resign just 18 months into her appointment will no doubt be disheartening to the rank-and-file,” Snider said…