NYPD’s new commish appoints Ryan Merola to chief of staff, making him highest-ranking gay member of dept

Newly minted NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has appointed a longtime ally to be her right hand staffer — making him the department’s highest-ranking openly gay officer. Ryan Merola was sworn to serve as Tisch’s chief of staff during a promotion ceremony in Queens Wednesday, marking the new top cop’s first personnel decision. Merola boasts a...