NYPD Lieutenant Kept on Force After Deadly Traffic Stop Shooting, Family Outraged

Family Outrage Over NYPD Decision

• 💔 Mary Verdeas, mother of Alan Feliz, expresses sadness and disappointment over the NYPD commissioner's decision to retain Lieutenant Jonathan Rivera.
• 🗣️ Verdeas believes the decision is political and prioritizes protecting the NYPD over public safety.

Details of the 2019 Traffic Stop

• 🚗 In 2019, then Sergeant Jonathan Rivera and Officer Edward Barrett pulled over Alan Feliz, 31, for a seatbelt violation.
• 🚨 Officers discovered arrest warrants for Feliz.
• 💥 When officers attempted to pat down Feliz, he tried to flee in his car, leading Rivera to deploy a taser and shoot Feliz in the chest as the car lurched forward.

Disagreement on Justification and Consequences

• ⚖️ An NYPD trial judge found Rivera guilty of first-degree assault and recommended termination.
• ❌ However, Police Commissioner Jessica Tish issued a preliminary decision stating she believes the shooting was justified, overriding the judge's recommendation.
• 🧐 This rare disagreement between the commissioner and the trial judge's findings is highlighted.

Expert and Oversight Board Perspectives

• 🎤 Former NYPD Lieutenant Darren Porcher notes that administrative judges do not conduct on-site investigations like the State Attorney General's office.
• 📄 Tish's decision aligns with the 2020 Attorney General's report, which concluded Rivera fired his weapon believing it was necessary to save Officer Barrett's life.
• 📝 The Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) is preparing a response, hoping to persuade the commissioner to uphold the judge's original finding.