A top NYPD official was ousted from his job behind the scenes after a violent public clash with the interim police chief, but was officially reinstated hours later following media scrutiny over his ouster.
Tariq Shepard, the department's chief of staff, was fired after an altercation with interim chief Tom Donlon over a botched photo op at the New York City Marathon, people familiar with the matter told the Post.
But after media asked questions about recent turmoil in embattled Mayor Eric Adams' administration, officials insisted nothing had changed with Shepard. Shepard also served on the Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs, a civilian position that dealt with media inquiries.
“The mayor is furious about this whole story,” a source told the Post. “Given everything that's going on around him, [federal] If you're investigating a crime, there's no need to ask about internal police conflicts. ”
“Yesterday, he described the argument as a 'marital fight,'” the source continued. “The mayor did not want to hear any new reports today that Mr. Sheppard, who called the incident a marital dispute, had walked out.” [because] He would have been even worse than he is now. ”
The Battle of City Hall is a battle between Donlon, a well-regarded former FBI agent who has been appointed head of a department besieged by a federal investigation, and Shepherd, the chief of staff appointed by his friend the Mayor, over Donlon's City Hall battle. It appears to be just another front in a fierce battle. own rebuttal.
The power struggle comes as the Adams administration faces a federal investigation into allegations of corruption and influence misappropriation. That includes the historic indictment of Hizzoner himself, who is accused of bribery and defrauding the city of $10 million in public campaign funds.
One police official said the problem was of his own making.
“This is sad,” the source said. “The mayor has allowed the NYPD to become a soap opera, and he's the aloof grandfather.”
Although Shepard has never been promoted to chief, he has drawn scrutiny from some within the department for parading around the city wearing the uniform of a three-star chief.
But sources said Sunday's uproar appeared to be the last straw for Donlon, 71, who had already clashed with the police officer who had appointed him as chief of staff against his wishes. That's what it means.
Just before the marathon, Shepard forced his way into a group photo with the NYPD Running Club, causing a public uproar.
In the photo, Donlon's grimace rests between the shoulders of Shepard and Deputy Chief of Operations Kaz Daughtry at the marathon's Staten Island kickoff.
Sources say Shepard barged into the photo. Shared by X The interim top cop has been pushed into the background by comments made by senior police officials.
The communists ordered Mr. Shepard to scrum and nudged him in the arm, which led to a diss and a shouting match that erupted when NYPD Chief Jeffrey Madeley intervened and physically attacked the two men. It only ended when they were pulled apart, officials said.
Adams downplayed the fracas, which unfolded in front of marathon spectators, comparing it to an argument between a married couple.
“Just because you have an argument with your spouse, child or business partner doesn't mean you don't love them,” he said Monday. “If that's a sign that you don't care about the other person in your life, then we're all in trouble.”
But it seemed inevitable that Donlon and Shepard were headed for divorce — especially after last week, when Shepard met in the committee's office and told everyone he was running the committee. After that, the source said.
Sources say that at a meeting held by Mr. Sheppard in Donlon's absence, Mr. Shepard told the other members that if they wanted anything to happen, including promotions and transfers, they had to go through him.
Failure to do so would result in transfer, they added.
“The mayor completely created this chaotic situation,” the former NYPD superintendent with more than 40 years of experience argued on Monday.
“This is the most disrespectful behavior towards a police commissioner I have ever seen. A mayor who calls himself a former cop should be ashamed of himself for allowing something like this to happen in the NYPD.”
Mr. Adams said that after the altercation, Mr. Donlon and Mr. Sheppard discussed their expectations of how “courtesy” should be shown, but did not elaborate.
Sources said Shepard, who is known as a friend of Adams, will return as deputy communications director.
He did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
However, DCPI issued a statement saying that essentially nothing has officially changed.
“He is serving as Chief of Staff and Acting Deputy Director of Public Affairs,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ongoing internal brawl is the result of a reorganization of the NYPD following a September raid by federal agents on former Chief Edward Caban's home, leading to his resignation.
Adams appointed Donlon to lead the department to weather the storm.
But sources said the decision upset many NYPD leaders, including Mr. Madeley and Mr. Shepard, who had been given near carte blanche under the Caban administration.
Interim leaders enacted the law in an early meeting, but disgruntled higher-ups launched a pressure campaign behind the scenes that prompted the firing of Donlon's executive team, including his former chief of staff. , the source said.
Amid the turmoil, Mr. Shepherd was promoted from deputy director of communications to acting chief of staff. The move raised eyebrows within the NYPD, as many law enforcement officials only learned about it through social media, sources said.
