John Chell, the NYPD’s chief of patrol, has launched a new, personal social media account — a move that comes as sources tell the Daily News the outspoken cop is considering taking a job as a political commentator once he retires from the police department.
On his new X account, created Thursday, Chell has a picture of a bald eagle in front of an American flag as his profile header image. In the account bio, he describes himself as an “active law enforcement leader” and “independent thinker” who believes “facts matter.”
The bio also includes a caveat: “Opinions are my own.”
NYPD rules prohibit members of the department from using agency resources to engage in political speech, a restriction Chell has previously been accused of skirting.
This past spring, he landed in hot water for going after Democratic politicians and journalists on social media, using his official NYPD handle on X. His politically-laced screeds included one post that claimed left-wing Queens Councilwoman Tiffany Caban “hates our city” and urged his followers to start “getting involved” if they dislike her, too.
Chell’s new X account — which features a profile picture of him in civilian clothing — could allow him more leeway in voicing personal views, something he hinted at in a LinkedIn post late Thursday.
“Although I’m a Law Enforcement Officer and are [sic] bound by department rules on my NYPD account I now have a personal account,” he wrote to his followers on LinkedIn about his new X handle. “Please follow me and hopefully some enlightening conversation. Ty all!!!!”
Chell’s personal account kickoff — which included posting a picture from a Duran Duran concert at Madison Square Garden he attended Thursday night — comes as multiple city law enforcement and politics sources have told The News for weeks the chief is looking at the possibility of becoming a commentator on a news network once he leaves the NYPD.
It’s unclear exactly which network he would be looking to join or when he plans to retire. Chell declined to comment Friday, and the NYPD press office didn’t immediately respond to emailed questions.
Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News
Chief John Chell at 1 Police Plaza last month. (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)
This past Sunday, Chell appeared in uniform on Newsmax, a right-wing network accused of peddling pro-Trump conspiracy theories, inside of Madison Square Garden during ex-President Donald Trump’s controversial rally. In the appearance, Chell discussed rally security precautions and said “everything is great.”
“Great atmosphere. Everyone is peaceful. We haven’t had one incident. No protesters. This is a very energetic day,” he said before offering a message to any anti-Trump demonstrators trying to disrupt the rally: “Not today.”
The Newsmax appearance was one of several media hits Chell did that day.
When Chell faced scrutiny for his social media activities this spring, dozens of lawmakers demanded that Mayor Adams discipline the chief for his posts, arguing they violated the rules barring NYPD officials from using department resources for political purposes. Adams refrained from reprimanding Chell at the time and defended the chief, saying he likes his “style.”
More recently, Adams defended Chell on Tuesday when asked about criticism over his Newsmax Trump rally appearance, which some Council members and ex-law enforcement officials argued crossed a line.
“We all bring our personal biases into this. We all, we’re all human, and I got it, I got it, but don’t tell me that someone should not be interviewed by a news outlet,” Adams told reporters. “Chell did nothing wrong. He did nothing wrong, and if you’re telling me that he should not have been in uniform, he was working.”
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