As the functional CEO of the FDNY, the Commissioner either directed, or approved, the appointment of the new Chaplain. Time will tell if it was a wise appointment. Hopefully, the Chaplain has the ability to provide comfort and healing to members of the department during difficult times which will surely occur on a dark day in the future.
The Commissioner knew, or should have known, that this appointment might be viewed by many in the FDNY rank and file as an extension of the DEI policy which is currently pervasive in many government agencies. Inviting AG Letitia James to be the Keynote Speaker to this event added fuel to the fire. The Commissioner, and her staff, exercised poor management judgement in setting up the program for this event which traditionally focused on the hard work of Company Officers and Field Commanders as they advance in leadership roles.
As the top manager of the FDNY, a more appropriate swearing in ceremony for the new chaplain should have taken place at Headquarters, or a house of worship, with the Command Staff and a contingent of the FDNY Honor Guard leading the investiture. Other Chaplains, Religious and Government Dignitaries, like AG James, should have been invited and encouraged to offer kind and encouraging remarks.
Overall, the Commissioner does not appear to have the desire, experience or background to bring people together in the unique workforce that she theoretically manages.