John Chell, now the Police Department’s top uniformed officer, and other top officials behaved irresponsibly on social media, according to the Department of Investigation.
The New York City Department of Investigation on Tuesday rebuked top Police Department officials for combative social media posts, saying in a report that the messages were unprofessional and irresponsible.
The 41-page report was the conclusion of an investigation by the city watchdog agency into the Police Department’s use of social media. Adrienne E. Adams, the speaker of the City Council, requested the inquiry in May after department executives — including John Chell, who is now the top uniformed officer — published a weekslong barrage of attacks on critics.
“New York City deserves public officials who use social media responsibly, to communicate accurate information and to prompt respectful dialogue on issues of importance to the community,” Jocelyn E. Strauber, commissioner of the investigation department, said in the report on Tuesday.
“No aspect of the social media exchanges that D.O.I. reviewed in this investigation served the public,” she said.
The report serves as the final word in a once-simmering argument between the Police Department and the City Council over the use of social media. Since taking office late last year, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has made a point of improving oversight of social media by her top officers, and of warning against misbehavior.
“We appreciate D.O.I.’s comprehensive report,” the Police Department said on Tuesday. “As the report notes, the N.Y.P.D. has already made significant changes to its social media practices. We look forward to reviewing the report and recommendations.”
