NYPD Chief Michael LiPetri replacing John Chell as department's top uniformed officer

Graham Rayman, Chris Sommerfeldt and Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News on Oct 8, 2025

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NEW YORK — Chief Michael LiPetri has been promoted to interim chief of department – the NYPD’s highest uniformed post – following the retirement of John Chell, the Daily News has learned.

LiPetri’s appointment was disclosed Wednesday in an NYPD personnel order obtained by The News, and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed it in a subsequent press release.

“As the interim chief of department, he will continue to lead the NYPD’s work to reduce crime and disorder and build public trust,” said Tisch.

Chell, who The News previously reported was seeking a disability pension for an ankle injury, had his final day Wednesday. He is expected to appear on conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg’s show on 770 WABC Thursday to discuss his retirement.

Sources confirmed Chell was approved Wednesday for a disability pension, which grants him 75% of his salary, mostly tax-free, for the rest of his life. He was pulling a nearly $280,000 salary last fiscal year, city payroll records show.

The disability claim stems from an ankle injury Chell sustained on duty during a migrant operation on Randalls Island in 2024, sources said. The city Police Pension Fund did not immediately reply to a request for the monthly payment amount he will receive.

LiPetri has served in a series of roles including as the chief of crime control strategies. He joined the NYPD in 1994 and also served in the 79th Precinct, Narcotics Borough Brooklyn, the 101st Precinct and the 75th Precinct. He made $291,000 in the most recently available fiscal year.

“For more than 31 years, Chief Mike LiPetri has helped make our city safer and helped ‘Get Stuff Done’ for the people of New York,” Mayor Adams said in the press release.

LiPetri’s department personnel page shows he was promoted to inspector in 2014, deputy chief in 2016 and assistant chief in 2018. He was appointed chief of crime control strategies in December 2019.

Chell, an ally of Mayor Adams, was named chief of department after Jeffrey Maddrey resigned late last year following an investigation into allegations that Maddrey exchanged overtime pay for sex with a female lieutenant in his office.

As chief of department, Chell has overseen drops in major crime categories. He also drawn controversy for engaging in partisan politics and attacking journalists and politicians on social media in ways that the city Department of Investigation says violated city and NYPD rules.