Police Commissioner Dermot Shea has some advice for incoming mayor Eric Adams: pick the right people.

In a wide-ranging interview with “Mornings On 1,” Shea said Adams, being a former officer himself, recognizes the importance of tackling crime and public safety issues. He said he has faith Adams will get the job done.

“Eric has a lot on his plate obviously,” Shea told NY1’s Pat Kiernan prior to Adams’ selection of Keechant Sewell as the next police commissioner. "I mean he doesn’t need my advice, but my advice would be always pick the right people, let them do their job and then manage them where that needs to be, and I’m sure that’s exactly what he’s going to do."

New York City-born Sewell will make history as the first female police commissioner of the NYPD come January. She currently serves as Chief of Detectives in Nassau County.  Sewell is a member of the New York-New Jersey Joint-Terrorism Task Force and has previously worked undercover.

Looking back at his own tenure, Shea said he feels confident that he’s not leaving behind any unfinished business.

“I actually feel very good,” Shea said. “I sleep very well at night knowing that everything that I could do for the people of New York City I did.”

During his time as head of the NYPD, Shea often criticized bail reform in the city, saying criminals were not facing proper consequences and were released back onto the streets to become repeat offenders. While frustrated, Shea said that he believes his message has been heard.

“I think people feel trapped, I don’t think there's any doubt that they recognize that changes have to be made,” Shea said. “I think the former governor recognized that, but I think the changes that were made at that time, I would liken it to lipstick on a pig — it wasn’t real change.”

Shea reflected on his time at the helm of the NYPD with NY1’s Pat Kiernan, as they walked through One Police Plaza. This is the first in a two-part series of interviews on Shea’s exit from the NYPD.