Retired NYPD Chief John Chell receives approval for 5,000 annual disability pension.

John Chell, the recently retired Chief of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), is set to receive an annual disability pension amounting to 5,000. This pension is a result of an injury he sustained during a police operation on Randalls Island in July 2024, as reported by Media News Source.

Chell, who officially retired on October 8, will benefit from a monthly payment of ,659.97, amounting to about 5,919.64 per year. This pension income is predominantly tax-free, extending for the duration of his life. Vincent Diaz, General Counsel for the New York City Police Pension Fund, confirmed that the pension board had approved Chell’s application but did not elaborate on the specifics of his injury.

The NYPD’s pension system permits officers to retire under different circumstances. An ordinary pension typically awards 50% of an officer’s salary, whereas an accidental disability pension, such as the one Chell will receive, provides 75% while remaining largely tax-exempt. The criteria for such pensions center on whether the officer can still fulfill the physical demands of the position, a process that often remains confidential.

Chell stated that his injury occurred when he stepped into a concealed hole during operations tied to incidents of violence and thefts affecting a nearby migrant encampment. Since the injury, he has worn an ankle brace and has been on restricted duty, although he continued to participate in field activities owing to his responsibilities.

Reactions to Chell’s pension have been mixed, especially from local political figures. Some City Council members criticized the size and nature of his pension, describing it as an inappropriate expenditure of taxpayer resources. Councilman Lincoln Restler highlighted concerns regarding Chell’s past conduct and called for a review of the pension’s legitimacy. Similarly, Councilwoman Sandy Nurse acknowledged Chell’s entitlement to the pension while expressing disapproval of his leadership style, which included confrontational exchanges with public officials and journalists.

Chell, a former ally of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and a supporter of former President Trump, joined the NYPD in February 1994. He ascended to the role of Chief of Department in January 2025, following a controversial tenure marked by various misconduct investigations involving his predecessors.

In terms of financial significance, only 28 retired NYPD officials are reported to receive higher annual pensions than Chell. Despite the injury claims associated with his recent retirement, Chell has since been active on social media, sharing images from his travels across the United States, a facet of his post-police career that has raised eyebrows among critics. It remains uncertain whether he intends to pursue additional employment in the private sector, although there are speculations regarding a potential role in right-wing media.

Chell was succeeded by Chief Michael LiPetri, who was appointed as the acting Chief of Department on the same day as Chell’s retirement.