NYPD Chief of Department John Chell is expected to put in his retirement papers as early as Wednesday – and is seeking a disability pension, law enforcement sources said.
Chell is exiting the department after serving as the highest ranking uniformed officer since the start of the year and helping oversee a notable drop in major crime since the city grappled with post-pandemic highs.
He’s filing for a disability pension after he suffered an ankle injury on-duty at Randall’s Island last year, sources said.
The outspoken and sometimes controversial Chell would obtain 75% of his salary for the rest of his life if he’s approved for that type of benefit.
He made about $276,000 last year, the Daily News reported.
He’s expected to retire when the pension board meets this Wednesday, according to sources. Deputy Commissioner for Community Affairs, Mark Stewart, is also expected to put in his papers Wednesday, sources said.
Chell is leaving about a week after Mayor Eric Adams officially ended his longshot reelection.
The chief of department landed his current spot in the nation’s largest department when former NYPD bigwig Jeffrey Maddrey was forced to retire over a worsening sex scandal.
Maddrey was accused of coercing an underling into sex in exchange for rubber stamping her overtime sheets. Maddrey has denied wrongdoing.
Chell, at times, took a contentious social media posture, irritating progressive members of the City Council and other lefty activists. He took aim on his X account at local lawmakers, reporters and even a judge whom he wrongly claimed allowed a “predator” loose.
But Chell has been part of an effort to reduce crime across the board, including historic lows in shootings and gunshot victims so far this year, in the five boroughs.
Chell started with the NYPD in 1994 in the 67th Precinct in Brooklyn before slowly rising through the ranks of the department.
He became a detective in 2000, and was quickly promoted to sergeant and then lieutenant. He then landed a captain’s position in 2010 and then deputy chief in 2021.
He was chief of patrol before entering his current role.
An email to the NYPD and City Hall about Chell’s impending departure were not immediately returned Monday afternoon.
Additional reporting by Amanda Woods
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