We need real changes at the NYPD and it starts immediately with new NYPD leadership.

New York deserves a down-payment on rapid reform: repealing 50-A, defunding to support more effective social services, creating real accountability and changes in culture.

That down-payment is to appoint new NYPD leadership who believe in reform. No organization changes if those at the top are immune from consequences.

"Mayor Bill De Blasio and Police Commissioner Shea have failed to lead the city throughout this time. The number of incidents and violence towards the protesters is unacceptable.Yet the Mayor and the NYPD have continued to defend those actions. All officers need to be held accountable from covering their badges, shutting off body cameras to ramming down civilians in SUVs. We have work to do to make this police force be brought under control. I stand and will fight for police accountability"
Jimmy Van Bramer, City Councilor (26th District) - 2-June-2020

"In light of this weekend’s events, as well as the long history of NYPD violence, particularly against Black and brown New Yorkers, the Center for Constitutional Rights has no confidence that the racist police will reform themselves, nor that the mayor will hold them accountable for ever-escalating brutality. Standing with the courageous people of New York, who despite a devastating pandemic are taking to the streets in rage, mourning, and righteous rebellion, we call on Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Shea to resign."
Center for Constitutional Rights - 31-May-2020
https://ccrjustice.org/home/press-center/press-releases/center-constitutional-rights-calls-mayor-deblasio-and-police

"We are going back into session next week to vote on a package of criminal justice bills.  I know we need to act now! I am a co sponsor of many of the bills and I will push to repeal 50-a as well as numerous other necessary criminal justice reforms."
Harvey Epstein, New York State Assembly member (74th District) - 3-June-2020

Commissioner Shea, First Deputy Commissioner Tucker, and Chief of Department Monahan have failed us. They must resign.

We pay their salaries. If there is no leadership change, we are explicitly saying that the NYPD have our support and have done the right thing since Friday.

A compassionate police leader would be humble and kneel with the community against injustice and violence. Other police leaders around the country chose this path. Friday was an opportunity for reconciliation and building trust between police and the community.

Our police chiefs instead chose a plan to confront by deploying riot police and started a fight which they cannot win, or simply lost control of aggressive subordinates they chose to send on duty. 

Neither explanation can be acceptable to New Yorkers.

There has been a failure of policing that is destroying public trust. This will only deepen institutional racism. The NYPD leaders must be held accountable. 

• Accountability means leaders taking responsibility for their decisions, and those of their subordinates.
• Accountability means firing police officers who hide their badge numbers or switch off their body-cameras.
• Accountability means transparency and speed when applying disciplinary processes on police officers who break the rules of engagement.
• Accountability means taking responsibility when you fail to keep the city safe from looters.
• Accountability means understanding that if the public believe racism exists in the police force, then it is up to you to demonstrate to us that you are fixing it.

If the NYPD leadership do not understand that their failings, not the 'absence' of civic leaders and clergy, has led to this curfew, the looting and turning peaceful protests violent, then Mayor DeBlasio must fire the NYPD leadership immediately. 

Otherwise, his talk of police accountability and reform in the days and weeks ahead is meaningless.