The city’s top cop got into a public shouting match with another high-ranking NYPD official during the New York Marathon, police sources said Sunday.
Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon had to be separated from Tarik Sheppard, the department’s Acting Chief of Staff, in Central Park, the sources said.
The reason for the dispute wasn’t immediately clear, with sources suggesting it may have stemmed from a disagreement over a photo op, or over an upcoming meeting. One source said Donlon was telling Sheppard how he wanted police officer deployed during the marathon.
The argument ended when Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey intervened and got between the two men, the sources said.
Word of the argument made its way to social media. John Macari, a retired NYPD lieutenant and podcaster who has been critical of the current administration, tweeted, “Receiving an Unconfirmed Rumor that the NYPD Police Commissioner Tom Donlon and NYPD Chief Of Staff and Acting Deputy Commissioner Of Public Information Tarik Sheppard got into a shouting match at the marathon & had to be separated.”
The NYPD downplayed the argument in a statement Sunday.
“This morning, in the midst of preparations for the marathon, there was a brief disagreement between two NYPD executives that was witnessed by members of the public,” said NYPD Assistant Commissioner Carlos Nieves. “The matter was promptly discussed and resolved. The leaders of the NYPD are passionate about their work, and it is that commitment and drive that helps us keep New Yorkers safe every day.”
Originally Published:
