NYPD Commissioner Resigns Following Subordinate’s Shocking Sexual Harassment Allegations |
The NYPD’s top uniformed officer, Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, resigned abruptly Friday over serious allegations of sexual harassment made by one of his subordinates. The charges, detailed in a complaint filed with the New York State Division of Human Rights by Lieutenant Quathisha Epps, have reverberated through the NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.
The grievance states that Maddrey engaged in “quid pro quo” sexual harassment when he required Epps to provide sexual favors against her will to obtain overtime opportunities and other workplace advantages.
Epps further alleges Maddrey forced her to enable improper contact between him and another female officer and had an illicit relationship with a different female detective. These actions, she alleges, placed her under continued harassment in person and via text message.
Saturday afternoon the NYPD said Chief of Patrol John Chell would serve as acting Chief of Department, while Philip Rivera would take on the position of acting Chief of Patrol that Chell used to hold. In a statement, the agency neither referred to Maddrey but did say he resigned.
“The NYPD takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation into this matter,” said an NYPD spokesperson.
Epps, who was recently in the news for receiving more than $400,000 in 2023, including $204,000 in overtime pay, claims Maddrey retaliated against her after she began turning him down. She claims he retaliated by falsifying her overtime records, which led to criminal and internal investigations against her.
The complaint further avers that Epps met with Maddrey earlier this week to resign given the public scrutiny that was on her. However, in the said meeting, Maddrey allegedly made another inappropriate demand which she accommodated before filing her retirement paperwork.
A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams said, \\”We are deeply disturbed by these allegations, and the NYPD is investigating the matter thoroughly.\\” The mayor’s office has also initiated a broader review to ensure accountability among high-ranking officers.
It occurs at a sensitive time for the NYPD. The commissioner, Edward Caban, resigned last September due to his implication in a federal probe over dealings with Mayor Adams. Following a string of interim transitions, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch took permanent office.
Mayor Adams himself has been indicted on federal bribery and conspiracy charges to which he pleaded not guilty. His closest advisor has been Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who recently resigned after she was indicted for bribery charges. The scandals mount pressure on the NYPD and city leadership to restore the trust of the public.
