Colón’s Corner: At NYPD, A New Voice Will Soon Be Needed

Who will step in as the department’s new spokesperson this summer?

At a critical time for the world’s largest police department, when public image is paramount, they will soon be without a spokesperson. Julian Phillips, who’s held the prestigious post of NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information as for about a year, will step away in July and return to his previous role as a journalist at PBS.

Phillips, a veteran Emmy award winning reporter who succeeded longtime staple NYPD John Miller as department spokesman following Miller’s exit after eight years with the force last summer to return to television as a legal analyst with CNN, is the first black person to hold the position of Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

He did a fine job, though the upside-down state in which society finds itself in at the moment made it difficult for him to get the positive message of police out to the general public. A position many a public information officer at police departments throughout the country find themselves in currently. As he prepares to exit though, the key question is who realistically can step in and what would their shelf life be?

The NYPD throughout its history, has long leaned on those of a journalistic background for the role. Given how much DCPI deals with the media, it makes sense. Miller recreated the mold in his first stint with the NYPD as DCPI in 1994. Then 36, he modernized the then 119-year-old department’s media approach. With that said, could the department in line with the new age of media and how messages from public agencies reach the public in 2023, go younger for the position?

Though social media has become more and more toxic in recent years, it remains rather like it or not the primary medium in which information can be distributed with not just great frequency but most importantly immediacy. As more and more journalists of the current era possess that as a skill set, a fresh and youthful face with an equally fresh and youthful approach is the most logical route as the landscape of public communications and public safety agency’s role in that continues to evolve.

Now, this is not to say that the veteran experience of journalists in the mold of Phillips or Miller should be discounted when looking at new prospective candidates, but much like the NYPD needed Miller to evolve its press game in the mid 90’s, they need someone like him to help them evolve once again. As we move deeper into the 21st century, the evolution process of media relations is evolving at a rate that is admittedly hard to keep up with, but that’s where the value of a journalist brought up in the current mold of journalism can make it easier for the department to maintain pace, and as lies and half truths about the NYPD and police as a whole make their way around the social media landscape before DCPI even has a chance to figure out what happened in the first place, pace will be pivotal.

Quick Hits

1. As the Knicks season appears to be over following a 109–101 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Miami Heat, Julius Randle, he Jekyll and Hyde power forward for New York who’s been a no show this entire postseason, said “Miami just wants it more”. Yeah, if that’s the case Randle, who signed a $68 million extension two summers ago should by the end of this summer be in a different city. His play has proven he isn’t built for New York.
2. Gerard Gallant, the now former head coach of the New York Rangers deserved to be fired following his team’s no show in their 4–0 loss in Game 7 of their first round series against the New Jersey Devils. At what point however, does the blame fall on the players? Vincent Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin combined for 2 goals across 7 games. The power play was equally embarrassing. You can hire all the coaches you want to, but the players need to execute. Fact is, the Rangers didn’t and that’s why they’re sitting at home.
3. If you haven’t listened to it yet, let me take a second to recommend the 5 of Us Podcast hosted by former New York 1 anchors Vivian Lee, Kristen Shaughnessy, Jeanine Ramirez, Roma Torre, and Amanda Farinacci. Consistent quality conversations on the pressing issues involving the workplace. It’s a great listen.
4. Another shoutout to another great podcast. New York’s Finest: Retired and Unfiltered hosted by retired NYPD Lieutenants John Macari and Eric Dym. Speaking truth to power, they do a fantastic job of highlighting the issues facing policing today.

Mike Colón is the host of the Mic’d In New Haven Podcast which can be found on all podcast platforms and is simulcast in video form on YouTube