NYPD reduces overtime as veteran lieutenant under internal investigation is reassigned.

A veteran lieutenant of the New York Police Department (NYPD), Ira Jablonsky, is currently under internal investigation as part of a larger department initiative to address overtime fraud, a move instigated by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. This follows Jablonsky’s reported earnings that exceeded 7,000 in 2024, a figure that includes a base salary of 4,000 along with approximately 0,000 earned through additional pay.

The NYPD’s records indicate that Jablonsky, who had transitioned to a role within the Community Affairs Bureau in Brooklyn, has been reassigned to the 25th Precinct in East Harlem as of August 27. His transfer is considered standard procedure in cases of internal inquiries. Sources reveal that Jablonsky, who originally retired from the force in February, resumed his duties on July 7, well within the permitted one-year period for former officers seeking re-employment. Shortly after his return, a complaint was lodged with the Internal Affairs Bureau regarding his overtime claims.

Jablonsky has not yet faced any formal charges stemming from the investigation. He became a member of the NYPD in 2002 and achieved the rank of lieutenant in 2015. Notably, he has consistently earned over 0,000 in overtime pay each year for the past three years, reflecting a troubling trend within the department regarding overtime compensation, which frequently comes under scrutiny from the City Council’s Public Safety Committee.

The department’s escalating overtime expense can be attributed to a variety of factors, including numerous planned and unplanned events that necessitate significant officer deployment, such as parades, national summits, and emergency response to protests. The recent turmoil within the force was exacerbated by allegations against former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, who resigned following accusations from a subordinate, Lt. Quathisha Epps. She alleged that he solicited sexual favors in exchange for overtime work.

In response to these issues, Commissioner Tisch has replaced Chief Miguel Iglesias as head of Internal Affairs and has mandated structural changes to the oversight of overtime within the department. Each bureau is now required to appoint an overtime compliance officer, with responsibilities that include the submission of monthly reports and detailed justifications for any overtime usage that surpasses the established limits.

During a recent event hosted by the Citizens Budget Commission, Tisch described the new procedures as uncomplicated yet essential for transforming the department’s culture, leading to a reported reduction in overtime expenditure by approximately 15% in recent months. The commissioner acknowledged historical deficiencies in overtime management, emphasizing the necessity for reform within the department.