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NYPD Commish Jessica Tisch Purges Internal Affairs Bureau in Wake of Maddrey Scandal
Edited by: TJVNews.com
In an unprecedented move to restore integrity and accountability within the New York Police Department (NYPD), Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch executed a sweeping purge of the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) and key leadership positions across the force. According to a report on Saturday in The New York Post, the shakeup comes in response to explosive allegations surrounding former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, who was accused of trading overtime hours for sexual favors with Lieutenant Quathisha Epps.
On Saturday, Tisch began her housecleaning with the Internal Affairs Bureau, the NYPD’s watchdog division tasked with investigating misconduct within the ranks. Deputy Chief Chris Morello, the bureau’s second-in-command, was removed from his post. This follows the earlier ousting of IAB Chief Miguel Iglesias on December 21—the same day The New York Post published its damning exposé on Maddrey.
The fallout didn’t stop there. Inspector Joseph Profeta, previously in charge of IAB’s Group 1, which investigates misconduct allegations against NYPD officers ranked captain and above, was reassigned to Patrol Borough Brooklyn North. Similarly, Inspector Michael Ricciardi of IAB Special Ops was transferred to Patrol Borough Manhattan North. Additionally, more than a dozen IAB supervisors, including lieutenants and sergeants, were relocated to precincts across the city, as per internal documents obtained by The New York Post.
A source told The New York Post that these changes were the result of a glaring “lack of oversight” within IAB, which failed to properly address the misconduct allegations and overtime abuse scandal brewing under Maddrey’s leadership. “Tisch means business,” the source said. “She’s cleaning up the mess and putting the department back on track.”
The dramatic restructuring comes in the aftermath of The New York Post’s exclusive report detailing allegations made by Lieutenant Quathisha Epps. Epps claimed that Maddrey coerced her into sexual encounters in his office between eight and ten times in exchange for extraordinary overtime opportunities. Epps, who earned more than $400,000 in 2024, alleged a pattern of abuse and misconduct that has now triggered multiple investigations.
In response to the scandal, six members of Maddrey’s office—including five detectives and one police officer—were reassigned, with many sent to patrol public housing areas. The transfers signal Commissioner Tisch’s commitment to rooting out any remaining remnants of Maddrey’s influence within the NYPD’s leadership structure.
A veteran officer with over 20 years of experience told The New York Post, “If you want to show that you are genuinely trying to change the face of the department and get rid of all of Maddrey’s cronies, this is the best way to do it.”
Earlier this month, Commissioner Tisch had already begun dismantling systemic issues within the NYPD. According to The New York Post, she reversed the controversial practice of “telephone message transfers,” where officers were improperly reassigned without formal documentation. This practice created personnel shortages in key areas, leading to slower response times and reduced police presence on city streets.
In a December 9 memo obtained by The New York Post, Tisch ordered approximately 500 officers to return to their original assignments, aiming to restore operational efficiency and accountability across precincts.
While Maddrey abruptly retired following The New York Post’s damning exposé, he continues to deny allegations of coercion, claiming instead that his relationship with Epps was “consensual.” His attorney, Lambros Lambrou, stated that Maddrey did not have the authority to sign off on overtime pay, implying that Epps’ earnings were not connected to their alleged relationship.
