NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is facing intense pressure from elected officials to reject a judge's recommendation to dismiss disciplinary charges against Officer Wayne Isaacs, who killed an unarmed man in a road-rage incident in 2016. The case has taken a circuitous path through the courts and city's disciplinary system, with Isaacs initially being indicted by a Brooklyn grand jury for murder and manslaughter, only to be acquitted in 2017.
However, the Civilian Complaint Review Board recently substantiated three new charges of improper use of force against Isaacs, setting up another attempt at discipline. The case revolves around a key legal issue: whether Isaacs can claim he was acting as an NYPD officer when he shot Small, despite successfully arguing the opposite in federal court to secure indemnification from the city.
The NYPD departmental trial judge, Rosemarie Maldonado, recommended dismissing the charges due to federal precedent requiring specific actions by an off-duty officer to be considered "under color of law." However, the Civilian Complaint Review Board and advocates argue that Isaacs cannot claim he was acting as a police officer to defend himself from liability while also claiming he wasn't doing so to evade discipline.
Elected officials, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, have signed a letter demanding that Tisch reject Maldonado's recommendation. The signatories urge her to consider the new direction Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has campaigned on for policing in America's largest city.
Tisch's decision could signal whether advocates' hopes for giving civilian watchdogs greater jurisdiction over police discipline will be realized under a new administration. A disciplinary trial is scheduled for November 19 if Tisch allows it to proceed, and her decision could provide an early indication of how she and the incoming Mamdani administration will handle police accountability cases.
The case has sparked tension between the NYPD and civilian watchdogs, with some arguing that the Civilian Complaint Review Board's actions are part of a coordinated campaign to take control of the NYPD. The Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry praised Maldonado's recommendation, claiming that CCRB is overstepping its authority.
As Tisch navigates this complex case, she must balance her commitment to discipline with the competing demands from elected officials and police union representatives. Her decision will have significant implications for policing in New York City and could shape the course of accountability reforms under a new administration.
However, the Civilian Complaint Review Board recently substantiated three new charges of improper use of force against Isaacs, setting up another attempt at discipline. The case revolves around a key legal issue: whether Isaacs can claim he was acting as an NYPD officer when he shot Small, despite successfully arguing the opposite in federal court to secure indemnification from the city.
The NYPD departmental trial judge, Rosemarie Maldonado, recommended dismissing the charges due to federal precedent requiring specific actions by an off-duty officer to be considered "under color of law." However, the Civilian Complaint Review Board and advocates argue that Isaacs cannot claim he was acting as a police officer to defend himself from liability while also claiming he wasn't doing so to evade discipline.
Elected officials, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, have signed a letter demanding that Tisch reject Maldonado's recommendation. The signatories urge her to consider the new direction Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has campaigned on for policing in America's largest city.
Tisch's decision could signal whether advocates' hopes for giving civilian watchdogs greater jurisdiction over police discipline will be realized under a new administration. A disciplinary trial is scheduled for November 19 if Tisch allows it to proceed, and her decision could provide an early indication of how she and the incoming Mamdani administration will handle police accountability cases.
The case has sparked tension between the NYPD and civilian watchdogs, with some arguing that the Civilian Complaint Review Board's actions are part of a coordinated campaign to take control of the NYPD. The Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry praised Maldonado's recommendation, claiming that CCRB is overstepping its authority.
As Tisch navigates this complex case, she must balance her commitment to discipline with the competing demands from elected officials and police union representatives. Her decision will have significant implications for policing in New York City and could shape the course of accountability reforms under a new administration.
This whole thing is just so messy... If Tisch's gonna reject Maldonado's rec, it's not 'cause she's all pro-accountability, but cuz elected officials are trying to control the narrative and give CCRB more power than they're supposed to have. 
The fact that police unions like PBA are already getting involved just shows how out of whack this whole system is... It's like they wanna make it seem like Isaacs' actions were legit, but at the same time, try to silence anyone who says otherwise. 
The CCRB is probably right that Isaacs shouldn't be able to claim he was acting as an officer to defend himself, but it feels like they're trying to use this case to take down the current administration instead of actually addressing police accountability. 
. And on the other hand, the Civilian Complaint Review Board and advocacy groups are all like "you gotta hold these cops accountable" 
. But what about Officer Isaacs? He made a mistake, shot some dude in a road rage incident... shouldn't he face consequences for that? 
. She needs to do what's right and make an example out of this, even if it means going against her union buddies 
. This whole thing is super complicated, but at the end of the day, justice should prevail 
.
The fact that the CCRB found new charges against Officer Isaacs and now elected officials are all over Tisch's case is just crazy... it feels like they're more interested in protecting the cop than making sure justice is served.
If Tisch sides with him, it could be a big deal for accountability. But if she goes against that... I don't know, man. It feels like the CCRB is being used as a tool to take control of the NYPD, which isn't right.
! Like, he got acquitted in 2017 but now they're sayin' he can't claim he was actin like an NYPD officer when he shot that dude? 
That's some messed up logic, fam! 
And now Tisch is under so much pressure from the politicians and the police union... it's all about balance, right? 
, and maybe we'll see some real change under that new admin 
. Officer Wayne Isaacs got off scot-free after killing that unarmed guy, but then they came back with more charges against him? It's like, if you get caught once, just wait for them to come at you again 
. And now the NYPD Commissioner is getting pressured from elected officials to keep the case going 
. I mean, what's next? Are they gonna make her choose between discipline and "making examples" out of cops who break the rules 
. The whole thing just feels like a big game of "checkers" with police accountability 
.
. what do people really want here? do we just need a more efficient system for handling these cases, or is it about giving the police union less control over who gets disciplined? 
... I mean, who shoots someone in a road-rage incident? 
And now they're trying to say he was just defending himself as an NYPD officer?