An NYPD officer is suing the department, alleging he was subjected to a retaliatory transfer—dubbed “highway therapy”—after ticketing individuals connected to high-ranking officials. The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, names former Chief of Department John Chell, former Assistant Commissioner Kaz Daughtry, and Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta as defendants.
The Alleged Punishment: “Highway Therapy”
The core of the complaint centers on a practice reportedly common within the NYPD where officers are reassigned to distant posts as a form of discipline. In this case, the plaintiff claims he was moved from a precinct in Queens to Staten Island, resulting in a commute exceeding two hours each way. This tactic, described by NY Streets Blog, is intended to inflict financial and emotional hardship on the targeted officer.
The Incident: A Perceived Disrespect
The alleged retaliation began in September 2023 when Daughtry visited the 109th Precinct. According to the lawsuit, the officer in question—Schwartz—failed to recognize Daughtry and did not call the room to attention. Three days later, Chell reportedly called Schwartz late at night, inquired about his residence, and immediately ordered his transfer to Staten Island. The speed of the reassignment suggests a deliberate punitive measure.
Escalation: Tickets and Further Retaliation
The situation worsened when Schwartz began issuing parking tickets outside a Staten Island school. The tickets were issued to vehicles owned by teachers, a detail that triggered further repercussions. Chell has publicly stated he directs officers not to ticket certain groups, including educators, and the lawsuit alleges Schwartz was punished for violating this unwritten rule.
Career Damage and Financial Loss
Following the ticketing incident, Schwartz was stripped of patrol duties, denied overtime opportunities, and relegated to a windowless office. The lawsuit claims Chell explicitly stated he would “let [Schwartz] rot in Staten Island” while simultaneously sitting on the promotion board that later rejected his application for captain. Despite eventually being promoted in September 2025, Schwartz alleges the financial strain forced him to sell his home in Queens and relocate to Staten Island.
The broader context is crucial : this case highlights potential abuses of power within the NYPD, where informal directives and retaliatory practices appear to circumvent official disciplinary procedures. The lawsuit raises questions about accountability and the extent to which such tactics are normalized within the department.
The outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain, but the allegations suggest a pattern of punitive behavior that could have significant implications for the NYPD’s internal culture and oversight mechanisms.
