Joist Smith News Today

On new yorkers. >> its really hard to love a city and have to constantly look over your back for fear of random attacks, which is nonstop. >> internally, the department grappling with challenges of its own. the nypd battling federal lawsuits, alleging gender discrimination within its ranks and thin the wake of massive protests, continuing questions about police use of force when dealing with communities of color. >> if theyre going to decrease the crime rate, you know, without harming the black ...

Has picked keechant sewell to take over the nations largest police department. cnns jason carroll has more on sewell and what shes up against. >> reporter: keechant sewell stepped in front of cameras and made history. >> its with a humble heart and clear eyes about the task and the challenge ahead that i accept the position of new york city police commissioner. >> sewell will be the first woman and the third african-american to become police commissioner in the departments 176-year history. >> i...

Sewell after a nationwide search, confident she is the one with the skills to transform the nypd. >> im so proud this day to tear down barriers. this amazing law enforcement professional, she carried with her throughout her career a sledge hammer, and she crushed every glass ceiling that was put in her way. and today, she has crashed and destroyed the final one we need in new york city. >> reporter: sewell is a native of queens, shes 49 years old, and has spent the past 25 years in the nassau co...