The Chief of Department of the New York Police Department has resigned following allegations of demanding sex from a subordinate. The resignation of Chief Jeffrey Maddrey was accepted by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, effective immediately. John Chell has been appointed as the interim Chief of Department, while Philip Rivera will take over Chell's duties as the head of the patrol division.
The department stated that it takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. The specific details of the allegations against Maddrey were not disclosed by the department.
An officer in Maddrey's office accused him of regularly demanding sexual favors since his promotion to chief of department. The officer plans to file a notice of claim with the city comptroller's office outlining her allegations. Maddrey's attorney has dismissed the claims as baseless.
Maddrey, who joined the police force in 1991, had risen through the ranks to become chief of housing in 2021, chief of patrol later that year, and finally chief of department in December. Earlier this year, a disciplinary case against Maddrey related to an incident in November 2021 was recommended to be dropped by an administrative trial judge.
The Chief of Department is responsible for overseeing crime-fighting strategies, quality of life initiatives, and operational plans within the department. The Chief of Patrol manages the department's largest bureau, which includes 15,000 uniformed patrol officers and 3,000 civilians.
Commissioner Tisch emphasized the importance of these roles in maintaining public safety and building trust within the community. The interim Chiefs of Department and Patrol will continue to lead efforts to reduce crime and disorder in New York City.
