NEW YORK – An independent monitor has determined that two senior officials within the New York City Police Department (NYPD) breached departmental policy by making “unprofessional” and “demeaning” remarks on social media directed at civil servants and journalists.
The findings, made public on Tuesday, were detailed in a report by the Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD. This report criticized Police Chief John Chell and Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry for their posts on X (formerly Twitter) last year, which were seen as damaging the public’s perception of high-ranking law enforcement figures.
These derogatory posts emerged as a part of a broader effort by the NYPD, the largest police organization in the country, to “control the narrative” surrounding its operations by establishing their own media outreach while targeting individuals viewed as adversarial to their objectives.
Investigators highlighted various examples of improper online conduct, including a post from Chell’s official account that named a New York judge as enabling a “predator” on the streets, later admitting his mistake in identifying the judge.
Chell also labeled a progressive City Council member a “person who hates our city” after she criticized the NYPD’s handling of campus demonstrations related to Israel. In another post, Chell urged his followers to “vote the change you seek,” potentially breaching the Hatch Act, which restricts political engagement among government employees linked to federal programs. According to the report, these actions at the very least contravened internal guidelines that mandate civility and courtesy.
“They violated department policies related to being courteous and civil, raising questions about whether their conduct might be seen as prohibited political engagement by city employees,” stated the investigation.
An NYPD spokesperson remarked that significant modifications to social media practices have been implemented since the investigation began. However, they did not clarify whether any officials would face repercussions for infringing upon department policies.
Both Chell and Daughtry frequently used disparaging nicknames for journalists whom they accused of disseminating false information regarding the administration’s achievements. Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, previously supported these officials for their efforts to advocate for police officers’ safety. In a recent appointment, Chell took over as chief of the department after the resignation of another ally of Adams amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Rendy Desamours, a representative for the City Council, emphasized that the investigation underscored the necessity for the NYPD to align its social media actions with established city protocols and maintain robust oversight to ensure compliance.
“The Department must hold individuals accountable when policies are violated to ensure that its social practices remain respectful and appropriate,” Desamours added.
The inspector general’s report noted that the aggressive comments had diminished following the initiation of the investigation the previous year, attributing this change not to a formal shift in the department’s social media regulations but rather to a recognition that the NYPD could effectively address criticism without provoking public backlash.
Investigators criticize senior NYPD leaders for ‘offensive’ social media content
