NYPD Chief Under Investigation for Permitting On-Duty Detective to Care for Mother with Cancer

An investigation by the NYPD’s Internal Affairs division has emerged from an unusual employment arrangement involving Detective Jaenice Smith and her late mother, Barbara Ann Smith, who was a significant figure within the community. Smith, 51, was assigned for nearly one year to a special police detail to care for her mother, who was battling cancer. This inquiry has also raised questions about the conduct of Brooklyn North Chief Scott Henderson, who has led the Brooklyn North command since 2020.

Reports indicate that Henderson allowed Detective Smith to work in close proximity to her mother, the esteemed president of the Bushwick 83rd Precinct Community Council, during her mother’s final months. Following Barbara Ann Smith’s death in December 2023, the detective was granted an additional three months of bereavement leave.

The investigation was set in motion by an anonymous tip earlier this year, suggesting that Detective Smith was frequently absent from her assigned duties. In response, the NYPD reassigned her to desk duty and initiated a demand for the reimbursement of approximately 0,000 that she received during her assignment to her mother, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

Despite the investigation, no formal disciplinary action has yet been taken against Chief Henderson. A ceremony intended to honor his retirement, initially scheduled for July 24, was unexpectedly postponed, an action attributed to Henderson himself. This has led to discontent among community supporters and pastors, who have criticized the administration and pointed fingers at Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Chief of Department John Chell for Henderson’s retirement.

Advocates of Henderson, including community leaders, have voiced their intention to celebrate his career with a public acknowledgment of his service, explicitly excluding the Police Commissioner and Chief Chell from the event.

The nature of the relationship between Henderson and Detective Smith has come under scrutiny, with ongoing investigations seeking clarity on the approvals given for her special assignment. Sources suggest that Henderson may have downplayed his role when questioned. Detective Smith asserts that the arrangement was sanctioned by Henderson, who recognized her mother’s vital contributions to community relations.

Internal records indicate that Smith joined the NYPD in July 2005 and has held various roles within the department, including community affairs and internal investigations. As part of her career, she boasts a record of 16 arrests, including three felonies. The rebuke of her assignment has not only raised concerns about standard operating procedures within the NYPD but has also highlighted the challenges law enforcement personnel face when balancing professional responsibilities with familial obligations.

As the investigation unfolds, implications for both Detective Smith and Chief Henderson remain to be seen, emphasizing the essential conversations surrounding ethics, community service, and departmental accountability. A request for further comments from Henderson’s legal representative has yet to receive a response as the inquiry into the circumstances continues.

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