Editor's Note: The video above originally aired on May 9, 2024
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – City investigators found that some social media posts by NYPD executives over the past year were “troubling” and “arguably intimidating,” according to a report released Tuesday.
The city’s internal investigation office released its review of a handful of controversial social media posts from official NYPD-related accounts over the past year, including one with New York Daily News columnist Harry Siegel.
In its report, the board specifically named NYPD Chief John Chell, Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry and the official @NYPDNews account in its finding that many "unprofessional" NYPD posts had violated department policies.
“It is inappropriate for NYPD to use its platform to target and demean journalists, elected officials, and other members of the public,” said Jeanene Barrett, the Department of Investigation’s inspector general for the NYPD.
In addition to the interactions with Siegal and another with NY1 reporter Errol Louis, the department reviewed posts by Chell about Mayor Eric Adams’ viral interview with The Breakfast Club.
Chell used “divisive and hostile language” toward Olayemi Olurin, a guest interviewing Adams, and “mocked” her, much like officials had Siegel, the city oversight department found.
“[Chell’s posts] could be interpreted as an effort to intimidate her for challenging the Mayor’s approach to policing and public safety or to send a message to others who might share her views,” the department found.
In this instance and another related to the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, Chell acted inappropriately in his public interaction with City Council Member Tiffany Cabán, insinuating New Yorkers should vote against her. The conversation was “insulting and arguably intimidating,” according to the Department of Investigation report.
The interactions did not serve the public in any way, the department said. And they had real-life consequences.
“Member Cabán informed this Office that whenever Chief Chell or other NYPD accounts reference her directly, she receives threats, some homophobic, as well as harassing statements about her racial identity,” according to the report.
The investigation was requested by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams in May after many of these interactions drew public attention. It also took aim at the NYPD’s social media use policies, which it found to be out of compliance with citywide policies and lacking oversight.
"While the posts are the responsibility of the individuals who wrote them, the lack of oversight over posting on the executive accounts and the lack of clear policies or guidance about the substance of posted content," the department found.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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