NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell’s team deleted a tweet Thursday deriding Councilwoman Tiffany Caban and encouraging New Yorkers to start “getting involved” if they dislike her policies, fueling growing concern Chell’s social media antics may violate rules barring police officials from engaging in certain political activity.
An NYPD press office representative told the Daily News that an aide to Chell took down his heated post by mistake.
“Chief of Patrol John Chell directed one of his assistants to pin his post. His directive was misinterpreted and the post was deleted in error,” said the rep. “Chief Chell stands by all the information contained in that post.”
Shawn Inglima for the New York Daily News
Councilmember Tiffany Caban (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)
The post, which Chell thumbed out on X Wednesday night, took aim at Caban for criticizing the NYPD’s mass arrests of pro-Palestinian protesters on the Columbia University and City College campuses this week.
“I started to read this garbage and quickly realized this is coming from a person who hates our city and certainly does not represent the great people of NYC,” Chell wrote in the message issued from his official NYPD handle.
Chell’s since-deleted post, a screengrab of which was obtained by The News, went on to say: “Remember everyone, if you want change, seek the change you want by getting involved. Then you know what to do….”
The NYPD press office didn’t answer when asked what Chell meant by “getting involved.”
Chell attacked Caban on X along similar lines in March. The March 29 post, which remains on Chell’s profile, said Caban’s “ridiculous” public safety policies are “hurting everyday NYers in our city,” and then added: “I always say to all NYers, ‘If you want change, vote the change you seek.’”
The March missive raised concern from ethics watchdogs and Democratic politicians, who said it appeared to violate Chapter 68 of the City Charter, which bars municipal officials from using government resources, including social media accounts, to engage in partisan political messaging, or “electioneering.”
Caban, a democratic socialist, argued Chell’s latest post is another clear example of electioneering and should result in repercussions.
“Enough. He should face consequences for his gross misconduct,” Caban said.
Susan Lerner, executive director of the nonpartisan Common Cause government watchdog group, echoed Caban’s sentiment.
“It’s completely unacceptable for a civil servant and a member of law enforcement to be directing the public how to vote from his official Twitter account,” said Lerner.
City Conflicts of Interest Board Executive Director Carolyn Miller, whose agency polices local rules on electioneering, declined to comment on Chell’s post, citing confidentiality protocols prohibiting her from speaking about an enforcement matter “until and unless there is a final finding of a Chapter 68 violation.”
Mayor Adams, a retired NYPD captain who has stood by Chell amid criticism over his social media activity, didn’t return a request for comment via his spokespeople.
Some of Caban’s colleagues said Adams should step in.
“Wildly inappropriate, unethical, and dangerous statement by Chief Chell. The Mayor and Police Commissioner should have this account deleted,” Brooklyn Councilman Lincoln Restler, a progressive Democrat, tweeted.
The latest Chell dustup comes as other NYPD officials are also under fire for engaging in activity that critics say is overtly political.
Tarik Sheppard, the NYPD’s top spokesman, and Kaz Daughtry, deputy commissioner for operations, were filmed Tuesday night at City College hoisting an American flag in place of a Palestinian flag that had been pulled down by a school worker following the removal of protesters encamped on the campus. Daughtry and Sheppard are seen in the video flashing peace symbols to the camera after the hoisting.
“An incredible scene and proud moment as we have assisted @CityCollegeNY in restoring order on campus, culminating in raising Old Glory once again,” Daughtry captioned the video posted on X after NYPD officers arrested nearly 200 protesters who had set up encampments on the grounds to protest Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
With Graham Rayman
