NYPD Commissioner Keeps Officer Who Killed Bronx Man Amid Family Protests

The family of Allan Feliz, who was fatally shot by NYPD Lieutenant Jonathan Rivera during a 2019 traffic stop in the Bronx, is demanding Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reverse her preliminary decision to allow Rivera to remain on the force despite an administrative judge ruling he should be fired. Rivera was promoted to lieutenant after the shooting, which occurred when Feliz tried to drive away during a stop for a seatbelt violation. Tisch justified her decision by stating Rivera believed deadly force was necessary to protect a fellow officer, a stance challenged by civil rights advocates and Feliz's family who argue the decision sends a message that police officers can "get away with murder". The family has organized protests and garnered support from elected officials and advocacy groups urging Tisch to reconsider by adopting the administrative judge’s findings of excessive force and misleading testimony. Critics, including former NYPD personnel, note that it is rare for the commissioner to override such judicial recommendations and question the political motivations behind Tisch’s decision. The case remains a focal point of discussions on police accountability and community trust in New York City.