To a Bloody Pulp

The Gotham City Police Commissioner is a political appointee, and there is no requirement that he be a Police veteran. He has the authority to hire and fire officers, issue regulations, and allocate police funds. He serves, however, at the pleasure of the mayor and can be fired at will by his honor. Commissioners in general, and the current holder in particular, rarely investigate crime directly. A commissioner can, however, “call off the dogs” or “release the hounds” against particular targets.