the department of buildings is overseen by a commissioner, appointed by the mayor, and is responsible for ensuring the agency meets the development and safety objectives determined by each current administration. the appointed commissioner is melanie e. la rocca since june 3, 2019. the department includes both development and enforcement units, overseen by numerous deputy commissioners that report directly to the agency commissioner. the first deputy commissioner, with jurisdiction over all borough office operations, is second in command to the commissioner and is responsible for running the agency in their absence.