The New York Police Department (NYPD) has carried out an internal restructuring that resulted in the removal of Wendy García as Deputy Commissioner of Equity and Inclusion, following a scandal involving former Department Chief Jeffrey Maddrey and Lieutenant Quathisha Epps.
This case has shaken the credibility and authority of one of the most important public safety institutions in the United States.
García assumed her position in 2022, overseeing the Office of Equal Employment, responsible for handling internal complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, and other abuses within the NYPD.
However, after the complaint filed by Epps, who accused Maddrey of demanding sexual favors in exchange for overtime, a restructuring was decided that separated the Equality division from the Office of Equity and Inclusion, placing it under the direct supervision of the Commissioner.
According to press reports, García’s transfer to the Department of Corrections (DOC) took place discreetly in February and was made public in March, when she assumed the role of Deputy Commissioner of Development and Advancement in that institution.
The discretion with which these moves were handled reflects the delicacy and seriousness of the situation within the New York police force.
The scandal also revealed that Quathisha Epps received total earnings of approximately $403,515 in fiscal year 2024, of which about $204,453 corresponded to overtime—a figure that has increased media attention on abuses of power and the need for effective oversight mechanisms.
Jeffrey Maddrey’s resignation as NYPD Chief consolidated the perception of a leadership vacuum that must be urgently addressed.
This episode exposes serious institutional failures in an organization that must guarantee the safety of over 8.5 million New Yorkers.
When legitimate authority and ethical codes are compromised, public trust weakens and police effectiveness is put at risk.
Moreover, situations like this affect the social fabric by undermining the protection and dignity of individuals and endangering fundamental values such as discipline, family, and respect for established rules.
Wendy García, with over 16 years in municipal government positions and outstanding academic training—including a master’s degree in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from The New School University—was directly involved in the restructuring, although there is no evidence that she participated in any irregularities.
Her transfer reflects the NYPD’s need to strengthen transparency and internal control to prevent further episodes of corruption or abuse of authority.
The case also highlights the fragility of structures promoted by ideologies that minimize formal authority and institutional discipline.
The left, by prioritizing identity or victimhood narratives, fosters environments where control mechanisms are weakened, promoting impunity and abuses of power.
A strong state requires institutions that effectively sanction, maintain legitimate authority, and protect the innocent while punishing the guilty, thus ensuring stability, public safety, and respect for institutional tradition.
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