John Chell named new NYPD Chief of Department, replacing Jeffrey Maddrey

Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News on Jan 1, 2025

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NEW YORK — John Chell was sworn in as the NYPD’s Chief of Department at Times Square on New Year’s Eve, replacing Jeffrey Maddrey, who recently resigned amid accusations he had swapped sex for overtime.

Mayor Adams was on hand as NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch named Chell the highest ranking uniformed officer in the department, tasking him with overseeing all of the police force’s crime fighting, quality of life initiatives and operational plans.

Tisch named Philip Rivera as the department’s new Chief of Patrol — replacing Chell — and Edward Thompson as chief of Internal Affairs.

Thompson is replacing former Chief of Internal Affairs Miguel Iglesias, who retired after Tisch removed him from his post over the Maddrey scandal.

“In 2025, the NYPD will build on the gains of the past year to make every New York City neighborhood even safer,” Tisch said Tuesday. “These leaders will ensure we continue to drive down crime and improve quality of life, maintain honor and integrity across the department, and strengthen the bonds of partnership between the police and the people of our great city.”

The appointments were made as shake-ups in the department continue, particularly in the Internal Affairs Bureau, which would have been responsible for investigating Maddrey for sex abuse and overtime fraud.

Maddrey stepped down on Dec. 22, a dat after NYPD Lt. Quathisha Epps came forward claiming he had sexually harassed her and forced her to perform “unwanted sexual favors” in return for overtime pay.

Mayor Adams on Tuesday defended the work Maddrey did for the NYPD before those allegations came to light.

“I have been very proud of his knowns,” Adams told reporters Tuesday. “You can’t predict unknowns.”

A Daily News report published in November named Epps as the highest-paid member of the NYPD with a salary of $406,515 — well above the $285,313 former Commissioner Caban made in fiscal year 2024.

In her complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Epps alleged Maddrey repeatedly demanded sex in exchange for her getting overtime hours, and that when the lieutenant began to reject Maddrey’s advances he retaliated by adding her name to a much-scrutinized list of the department’s top overtime earners.

Upon Maddrey’s departure, Tisch began a “top to bottom” review of the department, particularly when it comes to how overtime is filed and approved, Adams said.

“I’m coordinating with her to make sure we stay in alignment of what my campaign promises were, keeping us safe,” Adams said.