N.Y. Second Class Cities Law § 130

§ 130. Commissioner of public safety; appointees. The commissioner of\npublic safety shall be the head of the department of public safety. He\nmay appoint, to hold office during his pleasure, a deputy, a health\nofficer and a superintendent of buildings. Whenever a vacancy occurs in\nthe office of the chief of police or chief of the fire department, the\ncommissioner of public safety, shall appoint, in his discretion, a\nperson deemed by him to be suitable and competent to fill the same. The\nchief of police and chief of the fire department shall each hold office\nduring good behavior, or until permanently incapacitated or unfit to\ndischarge his duties. The commissioner may appoint such other\nsubordinates as may be prescribed by the board of estimate and\napportionment to hold office, except as otherwise provided by law,\nduring his pleasure. In case of the absence or disability of the\ncommissioner or a vacancy in the office, the deputy shall discharge the\nduties of the office until the commissioner returns, his disability\nceases or the vacancy is filled. Before entering upon the discharge of\nthe duties of their respective offices, the commissioner, deputy, health\nofficer, superintendent of buildings, chief of police and chief of the\nfire department shall each execute and file with the city clerk an\nofficial undertaking in such penal sum as may be prescribed by the\ncommon council.\n