Adams appoints former journalist endorsed by police union as head of NYPD watchdog.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has appointed Pat Smith, a former journalist and current member of the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), to serve as the interim chair of the agency overseeing the New York Police Department (NYPD). The announcement, made on Tuesday, has drawn significant criticism from advocates for anti-police violence who argue that Smith’s pro-police stance undermines the board’s ability to provide necessary oversight of law enforcement actions.
Smith’s appointment arrives amid controversy, particularly following the resignation of Dr. Mohammad Khalid, the previous CCRB chair, who stepped down last month citing a campaign of character attacks by the Police Benevolent Association (PBA). Khalid alleged that PBA President Patrick Hendry made numerous false accusations regarding his impartiality and attempts to link him politically to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Critics of Smith’s promotion, including Yul-san Liem, deputy director of the Justice Committee, assert that Smith has historically opposed effective oversight of the NYPD. Liem contends that Smith has discouraged civilians from filing complaints and has a track record of overturning findings from CCRB investigators related to police abuse cases. Such actions, they argue, could result in further harm to communities that are already disproportionately affected by policing tactics and less accountability for police conduct.
Conversely, Patrick Hendry of the PBA has expressed support for Smith’s appointment, suggesting that Smith represents a more balanced approach to reviewing allegations against police officers. Hendry asserts that Smith’s voting history reflects a willingness to evaluate cases fairly, in contrast to other board members who he claims frequently adopt a “rubber-stamp” approach to police allegations.
Smith’s role as interim chair raises questions about the future direction of the CCRB, particularly with incoming mayor Mamdani’s administration set to take office on January 1. Mamdani has expressed intentions to implement reforms regarding policing, as indicated by his advocacy for defunding the police and establishing a Department of Community Safety aimed at prioritizing non-police responses to various emergencies.
The intersection of Smith’s pro-police background with the incoming administration’s reformist agenda creates an uncertain landscape for the CCRB’s operations moving forward. As stakeholders await further details regarding Mamdani’s decisions on the board’s leadership, the debate over police accountability in New York City continues to intensify, highlighting the ongoing tension between law enforcement interests and community advocacy for systemic change.
The developments within the CCRB and the NYPD will likely remain a pivotal point of discussion in the upcoming months, as advocates and officials alike scrutinize the implications of leadership choices for the future of public safety in New York City.
