N.Y. Second Class Cities Law § 131

§ 131. Duties of commissioner. The commissioner of public safety shall\nhave cognizance, jurisdiction, supervision and control of the\ngovernment, administration, disposition and discipline of the police\ndepartment, fire department, buildings department and health department,\nand of the officers and members of said departments, and shall possess\nand exercise fully and exclusively all powers and perform all duties\npertaining to the government, maintenance and direction of said\ndepartments, and the apparatus and property thereof and buildings\nfurnished therefor, and shall have the general direction and supervision\nof the expenditure of all moneys appropriated to said departments. He\nshall possess such other powers and perform such other duties as may be\nprescribed by the law or by ordinance of the common council.\n