Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Outgoing NYPD chief James O'Neill (left) and his successor Dermot Shea. Richard Drew/PA Images

'Son of working-class Irish immigrants' chosen as new NYPD police chief

Dermot Shea will replace James O’Neill, another Irish-American.

AN IRISH-AMERICAN has been selected as the NYPD’s police commissioner for the third time in a row. 

Dermot Shea, a son of two Irish immigrants, was announced on Monday as the new head of the United States’ largest police force. 

Shea (50) is replacing another Irish-American, James O’Neill, who has held the post for three years. 

The New York Times reports that Shea is: “a son of working-class Irish immigrants who grew up in a cramped apartment in Sunnyside, Queens”. 

The NYPD said in a profile of its new chief that he lives in Manhattan with his wife Serena and that they have: “three children, Jackie, Lauren and Richie, as well as grandson, Aidan, and a dog named Miley”. 

He began his career with the NYPD as a patrol policeman in the Bronx. 

“Shea began his service as a police officer in 1991, a year New York City faced more than 2,000 murders,” the NYPD said.

He rose up the ranks to serve as precinct commander of the 44th and 50th precincts in the Bronx where he oversaw a dramatic reduction in gun violence.

Shea then rose to prominence at police headquarters as the department’s statistical guru and last year overhauled the division that handled the sexual misconduct investigation of Harvey Weinstein.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Shea is “one of the best-prepared incoming police commissioners this city has ever seen” and knows the department and the city “inside and out.”

Tweet by @Catalina Cruz, Esq. Catalina Cruz, Esq. / Twitter Catalina Cruz, Esq. / Twitter / Twitter

The choice of another white police commissioner has been questioned in some quarters in an increasingly diverse police force. 

Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton has called for an immediate meeting with Shea to discuss how policing policies affect people of colour.

Patrick Lynch, the president of the Police Benevolent Association, said he wants to work with Shea to “combat the current anti-police atmosphere and make positive changes that will improve the lives of our police officers and every New Yorker we protect.”

Tina Luongo, of the Legal Aid Society, said in a statement that de Blasio should have embraced transparency and solicited input from city residents before picking a new police commissioner.

In Shea’s tenure as chief of detectives, the police department has expanded its database of alleged gang members — often black and Hispanic men and women — and codified expansive DNA collection practices, Luongo said.

Her organisation provides legal services for people who cannot afford lawyers.

- With reporting by Associated Press

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
32 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Scanlan
    Favourite Mick Scanlan
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 12:52 PM

    God bless her she had some baby.

    RIP

    478
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Walsh
    Favourite Brendan Walsh
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:25 PM

    RIP. She raised a brilliant songwriter. Wow he could craft them. Indeed, it is amazing how many of Britain’s best and most groundbreaking songwriters/musicians were of Irish heritage from Morrissey, Lennon, McCartney, Costello, Lydon, Donovan, Oldfield, all the way back to the man who started British Rock, Lonnie Donnegan.

    342
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Quinn
    Favourite Lisa Quinn
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:59 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: Gallaghers too!

    193
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert O’H
    Favourite Robert O’H
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 2:07 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: Boy George too.

    184
    See 14 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Joyce
    Favourite Tony Joyce
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 3:04 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: Kate Bush

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carol C. is Social Distancing from You
    Favourite Carol C. is Social Distancing from You
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 3:16 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: Don’t Forget Kate Bush!!

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gareth Gleeson
    Favourite Gareth Gleeson
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 3:35 PM

    @Carol C. is Social Distancing from You: was just about to say! How could anybody forget the goddess Kate Bush?

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Stafford
    Favourite Rob Stafford
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:09 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: Johnny Marr and Gary Mountfield Hail from athy in kildare too. We have Manchester some greats.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Stafford
    Favourite Rob Stafford
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:11 PM

    @Rob Stafford: mounfield! Mani….

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alex Marquis
    Favourite Alex Marquis
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:13 PM

    @Robert O’H: Kevin Rowland of Dexys Midnight Runners.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Mc Cabe
    Favourite Colm Mc Cabe
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:15 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: indeed it has often been said that The Smiths were more Irish than U2

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alex Marquis
    Favourite Alex Marquis
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:31 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: not to forget the Mozmeister’s old bandmate, Johnny Marr, born Sean Maher.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Misty Eyed Mutton
    Favourite Misty Eyed Mutton
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:42 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: Kate Bush

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Kelly
    Favourite Pat Kelly
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 5:52 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: how many of them our actually Irish.. they won’t know where O’Connell street was without a tour guide…

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Walsh
    Favourite Brendan Walsh
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 6:11 PM

    @Pat Kelly: the ones I mentioned were proud of Irish roots. But I left out a lot of notables as mentioned in comments. Gallaghers, Boy George, Kate Bush. Also for the headbangers and air guitar crew, Francis Rossi of Status Quo fame had an Irish mammy.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Louis O'Connor
    Favourite Louis O'Connor
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 6:26 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: Paul McCartneys mother was a Mary Mohan from near Clontibret, Monaghan

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jason
    Favourite jason
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 9:39 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: don’t forget Kate bush too

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerrie Roche
    Favourite Kerrie Roche
    Report
    Aug 15th 2020, 1:14 PM

    @Brendan Walsh: David Bowie, Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain,, Bruce..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bill
    Favourite Bill
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:11 PM

    There is a light that never goes out. RIP

    239
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seymour business
    Favourite Seymour business
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:05 PM

    The genes behind the genius.. r.i.p..

    218
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Berkieahern3
    Favourite Berkieahern3
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 12:53 PM

    Could you not have found a more appropriate photo to accompany the lady’s death announcement FFS?

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wishywashy
    Favourite Wishywashy
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 12:55 PM

    @Berkieahern3: yeah, absolutely incredible stuff

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Byrne
    Favourite Niall Byrne
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 12:56 PM

    @Berkieahern3: It’s what Mozza posted.

    181
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Denham
    Favourite Peter Denham
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 12:56 PM

    @Berkieahern3: that’s the picture that was used along with the notice that she had died, as the beach was her favourite place. Seems very appropriate to me.

    202
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Vickers
    Favourite Barry Vickers
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:21 PM

    @Niall Byrne: no, its not. The Journal has cropped the beach one and changed the aspect ratio of both pictures so they look vertically stretched now. You can see the original pictures here https://www.morrisseycentral.com/messagesfrommorrissey

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute M Bowe
    Favourite M Bowe
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:32 PM

    @Berkieahern3: under the circumstances that would entirely be the family’s choice.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Quinn
    Favourite Lisa Quinn
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:46 PM

    @Berkieahern3: it’s a bikini lad hardly top shelf .have a day off.

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Mcnevin
    Favourite Paul Mcnevin
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:57 PM

    @Berkieahern3: Dear god.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jazz Buckler
    Favourite Jazz Buckler
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 6:57 PM

    @Berkieahern3:
    Morrissey himself posted both photos on his site. Check yourself & shelve the negativity.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mrs Doyle
    Favourite Mrs Doyle
    Report
    Aug 15th 2020, 6:37 AM

    @Berkieahern3: what’s wrong with it? She looks beautiful, she obviously loved that photo of herself otherwise Morrisey would not have posted it.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alison Maguire
    Favourite Alison Maguire
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 2:06 PM

    Rest in please to the mother of my favourite songwriter of all time, the poetic and lyrical genius. There is a light that never goes out x

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tuco
    Favourite tuco
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:10 PM

    Rip to his mother,I only recently realized his related to Robbie keane

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alison Maguire
    Favourite Alison Maguire
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 2:05 PM

    Rest in peace to the mother of my favourite songwriter ever a poetic genius. There is a light that never goes out x

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BatMon
    Favourite BatMon
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:45 PM

    RIP

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann Nugent
    Favourite Ann Nugent
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:48 PM

    RIP.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alison Maguire
    Favourite Alison Maguire
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 2:04 PM

    RIP to the mother of my favourite songwriter ever a poetic genius. There is a light that never goes out x

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonnie Marre
    Favourite Jonnie Marre
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 1:51 PM

    I’m just curious why Chile, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay etc…..? RIP

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Galiezitte
    Favourite Lee Galiezitte
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 2:22 PM

    @Jonnie Marre: yeah curious to that myself. I know he has a lot of fans from them countries but wondered if I misses something.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Miss T
    Favourite Miss T
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 2:38 PM

    @Jonnie Marre: I would think it’s because they are predominately catholic countries? I stand to be corrected though.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BriP75
    Favourite BriP75
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:13 PM

    She brought a bay into the world that is an amazing musical talant RIP

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BriP75
    Favourite BriP75
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:15 PM

    @BriP75: baby *

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Quinn
    Favourite Lisa Quinn
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 8:23 PM

    @BriP75: bay works too if you really love him but usually spelt bae.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:00 PM

    RIP.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas McMillan
    Favourite Thomas McMillan
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 5:21 PM

    RIP

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Theresa O Brien
    Favourite Theresa O Brien
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 7:48 PM

    @Thomas McMillan:

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Quentin Moriarty
    Favourite Quentin Moriarty
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 8:04 PM

    Everyday is like Sunday

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mrs Doyle
    Favourite Mrs Doyle
    Report
    Aug 15th 2020, 9:36 AM

    RIP Elizabeth

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Newell
    Favourite Patrick Newell
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 4:30 PM

    R. I. P

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Newell
    Favourite Patrick Newell
    Report
    Aug 14th 2020, 3:04 PM

    r.i.p

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds