The article details the case of Lieutenant Jonathan Rivera, an NYPD officer recommended for termination by an administrative judge for his involvement in the 2019 killing of Allan Feliz. The judge's recommendation follows findings that Rivera violated the law, NYPD use-of-force protocols, and lied to cover up his actions. This is the first such recommendation in over five years. Bodycam footage reveals that Rivera and other officers stopped Feliz for a minor traffic infraction, despite Feliz wearing a seatbelt. Rivera then threatened, beat, tased, and shot Feliz point-blank, leaving him to die. Feliz's family has fought for justice for six years, facing obstruction from the NYPD.
The article strongly advocates for Commissioner Tisch to fire Rivera, emphasizing the urgency and moral imperative to hold him accountable. It highlights the NYPD's history of racist policing, corruption, and abuse, stating that firing Rivera would be a crucial step in rebuilding public trust. The article mentions a letter signed by various advocacy groups urging the same action.
The article also criticizes previous NYPD leadership for their failure to address police misconduct. It notes the lack of response from Mayor Adams and previous commissioners. The lack of swift action, the article argues, further erodes public trust and enables a culture of impunity within the NYPD.