NYPD Director John Chell is set to submit his retirement papers as early as Wednesday and is seeking disability pensions, according to law enforcement sources.
Chell has decided to leave the department after holding one of the top uniformed positions since the start of the year, during which time he played a significant role in managing the decline in major crime following the surge seen after the pandemic.
He’s applying for a disability pension due to an ankle injury he sustained while working on Randall Island last year, sources indicated.
If approved, he would receive 75% of his salary for the rest of his life. Last year, he earned around $276,000.
Sources noted that he is expected to officially retire when the pension committee convenes this Wednesday. Assistant Community Affairs Director Mark Stewart is also anticipated to submit his retirement papers on the same day.
Chell’s departure comes shortly after Mayor Eric Adams ended his challenging reelection campaign.
Chell succeeded former NYPD chief Jeffrey Madrid, who was forced to retire amid a sexual misconduct scandal. Madrid faced accusations of inappropriate behavior, which he denied.
Known for his sometimes controversial social media presence, Chell garnered attention from progressive city council members and activists. He targeted local lawmakers, reporters, and judges on his X account, with criticisms regarding crime policies.
Despite the controversies, Chell contributed to reducing crime rates, including achieving historic lows in shooting incidents across several districts this year.
Chell began his career with the NYPD in 1994 in Brooklyn’s 67th District and steadily moved up the ranks, becoming a detective in 2000, then sergeant, and later captain in 2010. He was promoted to vice chief in 2021 and previously served as chief of patrol.
Emails to the NYPD and City Hall regarding Chell’s pending retirement were not responded to as of Monday afternoon.
