NYPD Commissioner Announces Retirements of Two NYPD Executives
March 27, 2023
Innovative NYPD Leaders Cap Accomplished Careers
New York, New York – Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell today announced the retirement of two veteran New York City Police Department chiefs who have made significant contributions to the city and the policing profession across their decades of public service.
The two retiring chiefs are Chief Thomas P. Galati, the Chief of Intelligence and Counterterrorism, and Chief Isa M. Abbassi, the Chief of Strategic initiatives. Each of the three-star bureau chiefs has decided to retire at the end of April – capping 65 years combined police service to New York City.
“Chief Galati and Chief Abbassi are distinguished leaders, creative thinkers and innovators who have improved policing and helped to chart the brightest possible future for the NYPD, its officers, and all the people we serve,” Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said on Monday. “I thank them and their families for their tireless commitment to the public good and I wish them nothing but continued success as they each embark on important new challenges.”
Chief Galati is a 39-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, having joined as a police officer in July 1984. He began his career on patrol in the 115th Precinct and was promoted to Sergeant in December 1989; Lieutenant in November 1996; Captain in January 1999; Deputy Inspector in August 2001; Inspector in June 2003; Deputy Chief in April 2004, and Assistant Chief in December 2008. Chief Galati has held the title of commanding officer of the 46th, and 47th Precincts, Bronx Street Crime, Detective Bureau Gang Division, and, until December 2022, was Chief of the Intelligence Bureau before taking over as chief of the newly envisioned Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau.
In those roles, Chief Galati has managed some of the department’s most important functions, including overseeing the NYPD’s domestic and international liaison program, its counterterrorism program, and its Field Intelligence Operations program, and deepening ties with the NYPD’s state and federal law enforcement partners across the globe. He has also served in the 19th, 32nd, 103rd, 109th, and 115th Precincts and the Street Crime Unit.
“It has been my greatest honor to serve the citizens of New York City and be a member of this department for nearly four decades,” said Chief Galati. “I am forever grateful to the Adams Administration and to Police Commissioner Sewell for their leadership, vision, and support. Being a chief in this arena – being ever-aware and always ready to provide the NYPD and our partners with timely information about world events that impact New York City – has been a tremendous responsibility and unparalleled privilege. I am proud to know that as I exit this department after nearly four decades, its world-class intelligence and counterterrorism infrastructure is poised for even greater successes under Commissioner Sewell’s leadership.”
Chief Abbassi is a 26-year-veteran of the New York City Police Department. He joined the department as a police officer in April 1997, and started his career on patrol in Police Service Area 3 in Brooklyn. During his long and distinguished career in the NYPD, he also worked in the 60th, 63rd, 67th, 77th, and 81st Precincts and served as the commanding officer of the 77th and 120th Precincts. Chief Abbassi held positions in the Detective and Patrol Services Bureaus, and served as the commanding officer of the office of Collaborative Policing, executive officer of the Patrol Services Bureau and executive officer to the Chief of Department.
Upon his promotion in May 2022 as the three-star Chief of Strategic Initiatives, Chief Abbassi initiated an ambitious plan to implement Commissioner Sewell’s vison for a reimagined future for the NYPD and the people it serves. That work culminated in January 2023 with the release of the department’s 2023 Strategic Plan, a comprehensive outline reflecting the NYPD’s continued mission to fight crime and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
In making his decision, Chief Abbassi said he would miss all of those he worked with in the NYPD, at every rank and in every command, including in the Aviation Unit where he was a pilot and supervisor for many years. His years of experience would serve him well in the future, the Chief said.
“I leave the NYPD knowing it will always continue to innovate and excel and that its forward momentum will be fueled by the contributions we have made in the past fifteen months under the leadership of Commissioner Sewell,” Chief Abbassi said. “My work here is done, but I will take it with me as I embrace a new opportunity presented to me to help improve the policing profession in our neighboring state of New Jersey. As I depart, my heart is full of gratitude and hope.”
The Police Commissioner will announce the successors in each position in the days ahead.
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