NEW YORK — The top-ranking officer in the New York Police Department has resigned in response to allegations that he solicited sexual favors from a subordinate in exchange for paid opportunities. The resignation of Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey was accepted by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Friday evening, with the decision taking effect immediately as announced by the department on Saturday.

Following Maddrey’s departure, Chief of Patrol John Chell is stepping in as the interim chief of the department. Additionally, Philip Rivera is moving into Chell’s role to lead the patrol division, according to NYPD information.

In a significant shift, Tisch also appointed Edward Thompson as the interim head of the internal affairs bureau, a position that was vacated by Miguel Iglesias. This bureau is responsible for investigating claims of police misconduct. Tisch highlighted the importance of upholding integrity and rooting out corruption, stating that the bureau must remain dedicated to these values.

While the NYPD did not delve into the specific allegations against Maddrey, they affirmed their seriousness regarding claims of sexual misconduct and assured a thorough investigation will follow. Meanwhile, attorney Eric Sanders, representing Lt. Quathisha Epps, the officer who accused Maddrey, expressed that the resignation was long overdue, suggesting that such behavior had been prevalent within the department for years.

On Saturday, Epps filed a formal complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, accusing Maddrey of “quid pro quo sexual harassment.” She alleged that she was pressured to provide unwanted sexual favors in return for overtime work opportunities. Epps, who holds an administrative position within Maddrey’s office, claims her pushback against his advances led to retaliation claims of overtime abuse, prompting an inquiry into her work.

Despite having submitted her retirement notice earlier in the week, Epps was subsequently suspended without pay. Reports indicate she was the highest-paid officer in the department for fiscal year 2024, with her earnings surpassing $400,000, predominantly from overtime.

Sanders elaborated that Epps endured profound mistreatment from those leveraging their authority for personal gain. He emphasized that the retaliation she faced for standing up against this behavior underscores the urgent need for reforms within the NYPD.

While department representatives refrained from commenting on the lawsuit, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirmed it is actively investigating the allegations. They described the claims as serious and troubling, particularly noting that they reportedly occurred at NYPD headquarters in Manhattan.

Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain, expressed his concern over the allegations at another event, mentioning that they were both alarming and unacceptable, and confirmed that a comprehensive review by the department was underway.

Maddrey’s attorney, Lambros Lambrou, labeled the accusations as baseless, suggesting that Epps aimed to deflect attention from her own misconduct by making allegations against Maddrey. He alleged that her claims surfaced conveniently after she had been caught manipulating hours.

In response, Sanders argued that any overtime worked by Epps was explicitly requested and approved by Maddrey and other department officials. Alongside this, Maddrey has faced other misconduct accusations, including those from a police captain who alleged that he made unwanted advances towards her over a prolonged period.

Gabrielle Walls, the captain in question, updated her sexual harassment lawsuit against another officer to incorporate Maddrey’s actions. She articulated her discomfort around him, stating that your fears often led her to avoid interaction with him altogether.

Sanders also mentioned that an ex-officer accused Maddrey of coercing her into a prolonged affair while he was her supervisor, although that case had been dismissed by a state judge a month prior.

Maddrey, who joined the NYPD in 1991 at the young age of 20, climbed the ranks to become the chief of patrol in 2021, and subsequently the chief of department last December.

The chief of department primarily oversees the enforcement strategies and operational plans for the department. Concurrently, the chief of patrol is in charge of the largest bureau, which includes a workforce of 15,000 uniformed officers and 3,000 civilians. Tisch concluded her statement by reaffirming the NYPD’s commitment to protecting the community and expressed hope that the new interim chiefs would effectively lead efforts to tackle crime and foster public trust.