Top City Council leaders said on Saturday they were “deeply disappointed” in NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch for her decision allowing an officer who shot and killed an unarmed man during a chaotic traffic stop nearly six years ago to keep his job.
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Deputy speaker Diana Ayala in a joint statement called Tisch’s decision “egregious” and urged her to “reject the corrupt status quo practices of the past” and terminate the officer, Jonathan Rivera, who has since been promoted to lieutenant.
Tisch’s on Thursday overruled a departmental judge’s recommendation that Rivera be fired for fatally shooting 31-year-old Allan Feliz, who lived in Washington Heights. He was pulled over on Oct. 17, 2019, for allegedly not wearing a seatbelt.
In a departmental trial last year, NYPD Judge Rosemarie Maldonadosaid Rivera fired at Feliz needlessly, siding with the city’s police watchdogs, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which also faulted Rivera.
The commissioner, who has the final say, concluded that Rivera acted reasonably, fearing Feliz’s actions – he and Rivera scuffled during the stop – put other officers in harm.
Tisch’s decision follows a determination by New York Attorney General Letitia James there was insufficient evidence to prove Rivera’s use of deadly force was unlawful.
“This egregious decision betrays the public trust and accountability that is necessary to advance public safety,” the council leaders said. “Our hearts are with Allan Feliz’s family during this painful time …”
Feliz’s family, in a statement relayed through the advocacy group Justice Committee, said they were outraged by Tisch’s decision. The family has filed a lawsuit against the city alleging racial profiling and executive force by officers.
Charles Lane contributed reporting.
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