Employee Relations

Deputy Commissioner for Employee Relations:
Lisa D. White

As Deputy Commissioner for Employee Relations Lisa D. White oversees the New York City Police Department’s efforts to improve the health, well-being, and morale of all members of service, support the families of fallen officers and members who are seriously injured and/or ill; and liaison to the Department’s 40 fraternal, religious, and ethnic organizations. The Employee Relations Bureau consists of the Ceremonial Unit, the Chaplains Unit, the Family Assistance Section (FAS), and the Health and Wellness Section (HWS). Additionally, Deputy Commissioner White facilities collaboration and communication between numerous bureaus and offices at the direction of the Police Commissioner.

Deputy Commissioner White identifies and evaluates member of service issues of concern and conveys them to the Police Commissioner and members of the Department leadership team. She regularly reviews administrative processes and internal policies to determine and provide effective recommendations that build on community-police relations.

Throughout her 30-year career with the Department, she served in positions within the Communications Division, including Interim Supervisor, giving her an understanding of the immeasurable impact the overall wellbeing of the workforce has on crime reduction and the community. In recognition of her professionalism, she was the recipient of various Department and Community Service Awards. Deputy Commissioner White has a deep respect for the men and women of the Department and their roles in addressing public safety. Most recently, Deputy Commissioner White joined the U.S. Census Bureau as a Field Supervisor. There she managed teams, ensuring accurate collection of sensitive data essential for the planning, enforcement and policy decisions of government agencies, furthering community empowerment, economic and social wellbeing, educational advancement, and civic engagement.

Deputy Commissioner White holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the College of New Rochelle, a Master of Arts degree in Labor Studies from the CUNY School of Professional Studies and numerous Frontline Manager Certifications.

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The Office of Deputy Commissioner, Employee Relations (DCER) engages in four primary activities: morale enhancement and employee engagement; promote the health and wellbeing of all members of the service; support for the families of fallen officers and members who are seriously injured and/or ill; and liaison to the Department’s more than 35 fraternal, religious, and ethnic organizations.

In addition, DCER is the parent command of the Ceremonial Unit, the Chaplains Unit, the Family Assistance Section (FAS), and the newly created Health and Wellness Section (HWS). Additionally, DCER undertakes sensitive and confidential assignments, as requested by the Police Commissioner, facilitating collaboration and communication between numerous bureaus and offices.

FAS is dedicated to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and were killed in the line of duty by fulfilling the needs of their surviving relatives and ensuring the fallen are never forgotten. FAS also assists members who are seriously sick and/or injured. The Chaplains Unit has twelve chaplains from various faiths who are dedicated to the spiritual well-being of each and every one of our over 50,000 uniform and civilian members. Additionally, the Ceremonial Unit ensures proper protocol for each and every official Department ceremony and event.

In August, 2019, the Department created a new sub-unit of DCER, the Health & Wellness Section. This section encourages positive mental and physical health for both uniformed and civilian members of the Department. The Employee Assistance Unit operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides confidential assistance to members with personal concerns. Another innovative way this is being done is through the Peer Support Program. Hundreds of Peers have been trained and currently work in commands throughout the Department. Uniformed and civilian members maintain their current positions and have also taken on this voluntarily role to offer a co-worker confidential, informal support and guidance. Additionally, the Peers share information on mental and physical health, mental illnesses, suicide prevention, how to help fight the stigma associated with help-seeking, available resources, creating and maintaining resilience and other related information.

DCER encourages participation in the Department’s various sports teams. Department sports teams increase the potential for officers from across bureaus to interact in a healthy and positive relationship. The Health & Wellness section administers the Department’s Sports Unit which coordinates the Police Commissioner’s Sports League and is the liaison to over 20 Department teams (Finest Football, Finest Boxing, NYPD Baseball to name a few). These teams boost morale and bring much needed camaraderie to members of the service.

DCER works closely with additional non-profit organizations to boost morale through a variety of programs and events aimed at recognizing our member’s service and to further support our members and the families of our fallen officers. For example, DCER regularly holds recognition ceremonies, supported by the Centurion Foundation, which honor members of the NYPD who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. In addition, DCER also holds a bi-annual recognition ceremonies, sponsored by the Finest Foundation, for members of the Detective Bureau who have performed exceptional work in closing complex cases and brought a measure of justice to victims.

Ultimately, DCER seeks to improve the wellbeing and enhance morale for both uniformed and civilian members of the Department. This is accomplished through multiple avenues, including supporting the numerous resources available to all our members who are undergoing a personal or professional hardship. DCER also works closely with the various labor unions and the executive board of every departmental fraternal organization, as well as individual members of these groups, to ensure all of our members are treated with dignity and respect.

Chaplains Unit