Metro

NYPD undergoes massive shakeup 2 days after new Chief of Department named

By
Social Links for Craig McCarthy
Published Dec. 2, 2022
Updated Dec. 2, 2022, 5:04 p.m. ET

The NYPD underwent a massive shakeup Friday, with 18 changes in police leadership announced — just two days after Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey took the reins, The Post has learned.

Among the moves was the appointment of Deputy Chief John Chell — a close pal to the department’s new highest-ranking uniformed officer — to Chief of Patrol, according to the orders sent out to the department.

In 2008, then-Lt. Chell fatally shot 25-year-old Ortanzso Bovell when the cop was side-swiped by the stolen car that Bovell was driving and the officer’s firearm went off accidentally, killing the man, according to Chell.

In 2017, a jury found Chell “intentionally” shot Bovellto, and the city was ordered to pay $2.5 million to the dead man’s family. A later settlement with the city lowered that payout to $1.5 million, The City reported at the time.

Chell was never criminally charged in the incident. Civil trials require a lower burden of proof for a guilty verdict.

NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey will be promoted from Chief of Patrol.
NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey was promoted from Chief of Patrol.

In Friday’s other slew of brass changes, Assistant Chief Michael Kemper will take over as acting head of the NYPD’s transit division — which was left vacant by Chief Jason Wilcox, who was pushed out of the spot after less than a year in the role.

Wilcox filed for retirement Thursday, as the department scrambles to implement the mayor’s new plan aiming to fix the mental health crisis underground.

A reckless ATV rider was busted for allegedly slamming into NYPD Deputy Chief John Chell on the FDR Drive last week, police sources said.
The city had to pay out $2.5 million in 2017 after a jury found Deputy Chief John Chell “intentionally” fatally shot the driver of a stolen car in 2008. William Farrington

Assistant Chief Martine Materasso also was tapped for acting Chief of Housing and Assistant Chief Wilson Aramboles is taking over as acting head of Special Ops.

The first female commander of Brooklyn North, Judith Harrison, was appointed to run Counterterrorism Division, and Chief Thomas Galati will serve as Chief of Intelligence and Counterterrorism, the order says.

Among the other moves: 

  • Assistant Chief Miguel Iglesias was named Chief of Internal Affairs.
  • Assistant Chief Galen D. Frierson was moved to Commanding Officer of the Criminal Justice Bureau.
  • Deputy Chief Edward Winski was named Executive Officer of the Risk Management Bureau.
  • Deputy Chief Carlos Valdez will serve as the Commanding Officer of the Emergency Services Unit.
  • Deputy Chief Charles McEvoy was moved to Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South.
  • Deputy Chief Scott M. Henderson will serve as Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North.
  • Deputy Chief Christine Bastedenbeck was made Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens North.
  • Deputy Chief John B. Hart was named Commanding Officer of the Intelligence Division.
  • Deputy Chief Benjamin Gurley was moved to Executive Officer of the Chief of Department.
  • Inspector Tania Kinsella was made Executive Officer of Patrol Services Bureau.
  • Inspector Janice L. Holmes was named Executive Officer of the Intelligence Division.
  • Inspector Robert Rios will serve as Executive Officer of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Bureau.

“The changes announced today are the first steps in a number of innovative moves that will consolidate and streamline the organizational structure of the Department to achieve maximum efficiency and ensure effective use of resources,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in an email to all of the NYPD.