NEW YORK — Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an immediate change to how precinct commanders will be chosen, creating a direct role for community involvement. It's part of the mayor's effort to reform the NYPD.

Although the police commissioner will still make the ultimate decision on who is chosen, a local precinct council will be able to interview candidates and provide feedback. They’ll also be involved in annual performance evaluations of commanding officers. 

"This is unprecedented in the history of the NYPD,” said the mayor at his daily press briefing. “We’re bringing the voices of the community forward to determine who will be the right leader and I think that’s going to help in a myriad of ways.”

When a precinct commander position opens up, the precinct council will receive three to five nominees from the police commissioner. After interviewing and providing feedback, the commissioner will make the final decision.

The mayor said the goal of this change is to build more accountability and trust between communities and police departments.

“It’s one of the things that we heard over and over in New York City,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “People want to feel a connection to their NYPD and especially at the leadership positions.” 

This change comes after mounting pressure from the community for police reforms and the mayor’s recent touting of the new “discipline matrix,” which is meant to give a transparent guideline for officer offenses and penalties.