Chell, Daughtry golf outing with Trump sparks inquiry over use of NYPD security detail
Police and City Hall sources confirmed Chell and Daughtry brought their details. The City Hall source added the cops did not actually join the men on the golf course.
The episode has since led to an inquiry by the city Department of Investigation after activist Brooklyn Rev. Kevin McCall filed a complaint on June 20.
In his complaint, McCall said the matter 'involves the public trust' and asked DOI to determine whether the use of NYPD resources such as personnel and vehicles for the jaunt 'violated any NYPD codes of conduct or city ethics rules.'
He wrote if Chell was off duty, as the department later said, 'this raises serious concerns regarding the misuse of public resources.'
'As a leader in the community, I am obligated to report concerns through the appropriate channels,' McCall said. 'At a time where we are dealing with cuts from the Trump administration, NYPD personnel resources are being used for personal gain. If this is confirmed, Chief John Chell should be fired immediately.'
A city government source said the detail remained a mile or two away while Chell and Daughtry hit the links with Trump before having lunch.
The City Hall source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, maintained it was within Chell and Daughtry's rights to have detail members with them, saying they're entitled to protection even on private time. Neither Chell nor Daughtry had been contacted by DOI investigators as of Friday, the source said.
Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Mayor Eric Adams, said city officials are entitled to security at all times if the NYPD determines it's necessary. Mamelak also noted that a DOI complaint doesn't mean anyone has been found liable for any wrongdoing.
An NYPD spokesman said the department will 'cooperate with any DOI investigation of this matter' and added that it 'complies with the applicable rules regarding the use of Department resources and personnel.'
A spokeswoman for DOI declined comment. McCall said he has been interviewed by a DOI investigator.
The golf outing on the weekend of June 7 and 8 prompted broad interest as it took place as tensions ratcheted up over Trump's nationwide immigration crackdown. The outing also came amid continued scrutiny over Adams' relationship with Trump amid fallout from his corruption indictment.
Chell and Daughtry, who is Adams' top public safety deputy, posted photos of themselves with Trump June 8 on social media with Daughtry calling it a 'fantastic afternoon.' Chell dubbed it 'good conversation with a few laughs and a great lunch.'
'Even the wife received a call from the big guy!' Chell added, as The News previously reported.
Chell and Daughtry have landed in hot water with DOI before, including earlier this year when the watchdog agency determined they violated city rules by going after critics and journalists on social media using their official accounts.
A source familiar with their Trump meeting previously told The News there was no talk about politics or immigration.
But another unnamed source told the New York Post Trump promised Chell and Daughtry he wouldn't deploy the military to NYC to quell protests as long as the NYPD handled things to his liking. Trump's decision to send National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid ICE protests around that time has sparked widespread concern and criticism.
Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, previously told The News that Trump personally invited Chell and Daughtry.
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