New York, NY – Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Tuesday that Sharun Goodwin will take over as commissioner of New York City’s Department of Probation, marking a leadership change after three turbulent years under outgoing commissioner Juanita Holmes.
Goodwin, a career probation professional who recently retired from the agency, has returned to public service to lead the department, which supervises more than 10,000 adults and young people across the city and operates programs to reduce recidivism and support reentry.
Her career with Probation began in 1986 as an intern. Over nearly four decades, she worked her way through the ranks, serving in all five boroughs, including as Queens County adult operations branch chief. When she retired in 2024, she was serving as deputy commissioner for adult operations.
Speaking at City Hall while unveiling several senior administration appointments, Mamdani praised Goodwin’s deep institutional knowledge and steady leadership.
“It’s hard to imagine someone more prepared for this role,” the mayor said, pointing to her experience and long-standing commitment to the agency’s mission.
Goodwin replaces Holmes, who was appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams. Holmes’ tenure was frequently criticized by staff and elected officials, with reports of low morale, staffing shortages, and internal unrest surfacing early in her leadership. Former City Council Criminal Justice Committee Chair Sandy Nurse previously said her office received numerous complaints from probation officers and department employees about working conditions and management decisions.
Holmes, a longtime NYPD official, also faced backlash for shifting the agency toward a more enforcement-driven approach, including a controversial policy change requiring all probation officers to carry firearms, a move critics argued undermined the department’s rehabilitative mission.
When asked Tuesday about her predecessor, Goodwin declined to directly critique Holmes’ leadership. However, she acknowledged concerns raised about hiring practices under the previous administration and said she would review them carefully.
“When I step into the role, I will assess what I’m hearing,” Goodwin told reporters. “I don’t want to make assumptions. I want to evaluate the facts and determine what, if anything, needs to change.”
Mamdani said Goodwin’s appointment signals a reset for the department.
“A new era in city government means earning back public trust,” he said. “Commissioner Goodwin will lead with a focus on justice, public safety, fairness, and professional excellence, and that will define the Department of Probation going forward.”
He added that city agencies must be judged by their work, not by internal politics or personal connections.
Goodwin outlined her own vision, emphasizing balance over punishment.
“Probation is not just about supervision,” she said. “It’s about accountability paired with opportunity, protecting our neighborhoods while helping people rebuild their lives and contribute to the city they care about.”
Her selection drew praise from across the criminal justice community. Legal Aid Society welcomed the appointment, with chief attorney Tina Luongo saying the organization was optimistic that Probation would refocus on services and support.
“We see this as a chance to return to a probation model centered on assistance and stability, not regressive enforcement,” Luongo said, adding that Legal Aid looks forward to working with Goodwin to improve outcomes for clients and communities.
Former Probation and Correction Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi also applauded the move, calling Goodwin uniquely qualified to lead and reform the agency.
“Mayor Mamdani could not have chosen a better person,” Schiraldi wrote in a social media post. “Sharun has spent decades balancing decency and public safety, starting as an intern and rising through the ranks.”
He added that her leadership could restore morale and help return the department to national prominence. “With Sharun at the helm,” Schiraldi said, “Probation has a real chance not just to recover, but to reach new heights.”
Law Enforcement News – By The Midtown Times Staff
