City Council leaders on Thursday accused executives of “dangerous, unethical and unprofessional” social media posts and $100 million in unscheduled overtime to police the escalating anti-Israel protests and migrant shelters. He slammed the NYPD over the $68 million dispute.
The heated lawsuit unfolded after the city’s Bureau of Investigation, at the request of City Council President Adrian Adams and the Legal Aid Society, launched an investigation into posts by Bureau officials.
“These posts often convey inaccurate or misleading information and can potentially incite threats of violence,” said Mayor Adams, who is not related to Mayor Eric Adams.
“This conduct is dangerous, unethical, and unprofessional because the department’s mission includes maintaining the peace, protecting people, and alleviating fear in the reserve budget. ”
The posts in question include those of NYPD Sergeant John Chell. Controversial jab against Queens Congresswoman Tiffany Caban He called online criticism of the ministry “garbage.”
The council president said Chell’s since-deleted rebuttal to Caban’s criticism of city government was a potentially “terrible affront to democracy” and “could be misinterpreted and lead to intimidation.” Ta.
The NYPD has more than 250 social media accounts, managed by the department’s top brass, including the precinct commanders, but the City Council believes these accounts are meant to keep the public informed and are not used for elections. It said it was not intended to inflame tensions with elected officials.
Chell and other department leaders are using online platforms as a weapon to fight back against anti-cop policies allegedly being pushed by the City Council, including the controversial “How Many Stops” initiative that has bogged down police departments with excessive red tape. It is used as a weapon.
In a letter about Caban, who criticized the NYPD’s anti-Israel response, Chell wrote, “I started reading this garbage and realized that this is coming from someone who hates our city and definitely hates New York City.” I quickly realized that I did not represent the great people of the world.” Police in riot gear removed students from protesters on Columbia University’s campus and arrested more than 100 people.
“Last night’s authoritarian actions by Columbia University administrators and the New York City Police Department, led by Mayor Adams, were an incredible disgrace and a horrifying affront to democracy and free speech,” Caban’s post on X said. ing. “And a terrible failure of public safety.”
Adams questioned NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Legal Affairs Michael Garber about Chell’s response during a heated exchange during a City Council budget hearing.
“Do you think that post was appropriate?” she asked.
Garber reiterated that it is “critically important” that an investigation into the DOI post be conducted and said the department is “cooperating fully” with the investigation.
“Do you think that post was appropriate?” Adams pressed.
“I’m going to be the arbiter of discipline,” Garber replied. “Therefore, I cannot comment at this time.”
Mr. Adams also tasked the department with the NYPD’s overtime tab.
As of March, the department had spent about $788 million on overtime during fiscal year 2024, nearly $271 million over budget, City Council leaders said.
“Repeated overspending in excess of allocated budgets raises concerns about government agencies, fiscal management, and accurate budgeting,” Adams said.
Police Commissioner Edward Caban said NYPD spending is down 8% compared to pre-pandemic levels, with the $160 million in additional overtime primarily for “enhancing security for immigrant shelters and protest interpretation and deployment.” He said it was due to.
“This is an unprecedented event and no one could have planned for it,” a top police official said. “As a result, expenditures on these activities exceed the standards of the financial planning adopted by the Company.”
