A series of tweets from various accounts including NYPDnews, journalists, and political figures have highlighted a contentious exchange between the NYPD and Daily News columnist Harry Siegel over his column criticizing the NYPD's approach, particularly accusing them of 'waving a white flag underground'. The NYPD's communications team, through its social media channels, criticized Siegel, labeling him as 'Harry "Deceitful" Siegel' and accused him of being 'anti-cop'. This move has sparked a debate on the appropriateness of such public rebukes by the police department, with some defending Siegel's right to critique and others supporting the NYPD's stance, calling the criticism 'repulsive slander'. Mayor Eric Adams has defended the NYPD's actions, stating that police officers, like columnists, have the right to express their opinions. The exchange underscores a broader discussion on the relationship between the media and law enforcement, as well as the use of social media by public institutions to respond to criticism, indicating a more aggressive social-media strategy. NYPD Chief John Chell and Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard also discussed public safety and social media in a public appearance, further emphasizing the department's stance.
Good job, @NYPDChiefPatrol . People are not used to the cops defending themselves online. And when they do defend themselves, the people who first initiated the comments play victim. https://t.co/d0DvEQACVX
New York Mayor Adams defends top NYPD officials who blasted critics on social media https://t.co/P5H4bexdOA https://t.co/BSQaRX0QNV
.@NYPDChiefPatrol on @fox5ny on tweets made over the weekend criticizing Daily News columnist @harrysiegel "We have a platform, and we're going to use it to push back on anti rhetoric from people who don't like the police - some journalists who clearly don't like the police." https://t.co/jbkhl0UzYS
Mayor Adams defends NYPD brass who blasted two journalists and a City Council member on social media "I don’t think they attacked anyone — they responded" A post from the NYPD’s main X account called a Daily News columnist "Harry 'Deceitful' Siegel." https://t.co/uGvp7LI9oo
Eric Adams doubles down on NYPD’s pointed social media posts https://t.co/o3WQKtvSc6
Top NYPD members went after a ‘Daily News’ columnist for days over a story, an example of the department’s more aggressive social-media strategy. https://t.co/4WR8jompmE
Watch as @NYPDChiefPatrol John Chell & Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard talk with @DanMannarino on @PIX11News about Detective Diller, Public Safety, & Social Media. https://t.co/6oKaHi2IEI
In an interview with @DanMannarino John Chell, @NYPDChiefPatrol sticks to his guns and states he's not just going to sit back and let people attack cops a day after NYPD officer Jonathan Diller was laid to rest . Earlier today also the NYC Mayor Eric Adams stated " the free press… https://t.co/ZjD72WZMVs
At a City Hall briefing, a journalist inquired of the @NYCMayor about recent tweets by @NYPDChiefOfDept, @NYPDDaughtry, @NYPDChiefPatrol and @NYPDTransit in response to a Daily News article. The mayor expressed full support for the officers, condemning the article as distasteful,… https://t.co/BB6sCcXWSZ
ICYMI: @NYPDChiefPatrol addresses recent tweets about media and articles he disagrees with. “To double down on stupid with wrong information, we are not going to let this happen.” https://t.co/V12lPiN1Mt
At a City Hall briefing, a journalist inquired of the @NYCMayor about recent tweets by @NYPDChiefOfDept, @NYPDDaughtry, and @NYPDTransit in response to a Daily News article. The mayor expressed full support for the officers, condemning the article as distasteful, particularly for… https://t.co/uh2Dryawpl
Mayor Adams also clutches pearls about @harrysiegel publishing a column critical of the NYPD the day of a cop funeral - completely ignoring that Chell + Daughtry used that very funeral to criticize Olayemi Olurin, including the very morning of the funeral! https://t.co/F5jZOT3Exr
“I don't think they attacked anyone” @NYCMayor says when asked about @NYPDnews @NYPDChiefPatrol and other tweets about @harrysiegel's column and other tweets. "If a columnist has a right to an opinion, a police officer has the right to an opinion."
I know some in @NYPDnews are attempting to brand @harrysiegel as “anti cop” for obvious political reasons however, as someone who doesn’t agree with all of Harry’s columns that’s a false narrative. There are reporters & columnists who demonize police but @harrysiegel is not one
no, @harrysiegel doesn't hate cops. Trying to make it out that he is some defund-the-police guy is a repulsive slander. What Harry Siegel hates are hack chiefs who are protecting themselves rather than the people of New York City. https://t.co/BBXqWIJSs8
First on @1010WINS more from @NYPDChiefPatrol on @harrysiegel column "he hates the administration, he's anti-cop, we're battling a segment of the people that hates cops, we're not gonna sit back and just take it, we're gonna push back." @wcbs880
My column about the NYPD waving a white flag underground, which the department has not substantially responded to at all in a full day of chiefs and commissioners tweeting and calling me names from their official accounts, is linked in the tweet below ;-? https://t.co/G60Fz8lknw
New @harrysiegel nickname just dropped as the NYPD’s communications team continues to amplify his column better than any other promotion. https://t.co/4MKcqokoy6
In which the official voice of the nation's largest municipal police department uses its social media to denigrate one of New York City's finest reporters https://t.co/qJX33bYQjt
We thank @NYDailyNews for correcting the record. The men and women of the NYPD work tirelessly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 12 months a year to protect the City of New York. It is a shame that Harry "Deceitful" Siegel refuses to recognize that. https://t.co/gDAKKL9NuZ