Executives from the New York Police Department have been engaging in combative behavior on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, including personal attacks against a newspaper columnist, a lawyer, and a city councilwoman. Chief of Patrol John Chell and other officials have been responding aggressively to criticism and complaints, deviating from typical police protocol. Despite criticism from former officials and concerns that the aggressive stance may be detrimental, Mayor Eric Adams and top police officials have expressed their support for the attacks.
The focus of the aggressive behavior has been on a series of attacks against Daily News columnist Harry Siegel, who criticized department leaders for crime on the subway. The police began calling him “Harry ‘Deceitful’ Siegel” after an error in his column was highlighted, and criticism continued even after a correction was issued. There have been other instances where police executives have criticized a judge and the media coverage of a fallen officer’s funeral. Former Police Commissioner William J. Bratton and communications director Bill Cunningham expressed concern over the lack of control and the potential harm being done to the department’s reputation.
While some defend the police executives’ actions as a response to ongoing frustration and anger among officers and leaders, others argue that the behavior reflects poorly on the department’s leadership. The lack of restraint on social media is seen as a sign that traditional messaging strategies have been abandoned, with social media allowing for more unchecked expression. Former Commissioner Bratton emphasized the need to avoid name-calling and stick to the facts in public discourse.
The aggressive behavior has even extended to critics and supporters of the police, with podcast host Mike Colón engaging in a public exchange with Chief Chell after criticizing the tweets directed at the media. Harry Siegel, the columnist at the center of these attacks, has expressed concerns over the intimidation tactics used by the police executives and their attempts to deflect attention from the issues he raises in his columns. Despite the controversy, the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information, Tarik Sheppard, has defended the officials’ posts as professional and necessary.
Overall, the aggressive behavior of top police officials on social media has raised questions about their professionalism, decision-making processes, and the overall management of the Police Department. While some defend their actions as a response to ongoing frustrations and criticisms, others argue that the attacks are undermining the reputation of the department and its leadership. The debate over the use of social media to engage with critics and the media continues, with concerns over the potential consequences of unchecked expression and aggressive responses.
