The police commissioner of New York City has chosen not to dismiss an officer who shot and killed a man during a traffic stop, going against a recommendation from an administrative judge. The family of the deceased man is expressing their opposition to this decision.
Lieutenant Jonathan Rivera fatally shot 31-year-old Allan Feliz, believing that Feliz was on the verge of running over another officer with his vehicle, as stated in Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s written verdict. Tisch commended Rivera, who was a sergeant at the time, for making a quick and accurate judgment in a rapidly evolving and perilous situation, where he had to act swiftly to protect his fellow officer’s life.
Tisch’s ruling, released just before the July 4 holiday weekend, contradicts the findings of Rosemarie Maldonado, the deputy commissioner of trials at the department, who determined in February that Rivera had used excessive force and recommended his dismissal. The incident occurred at around 3 p.m. on October 17, 2019, when Feliz was pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. Upon checking his information, officers discovered several outstanding warrants for minor offenses like littering, spitting, and disorderly conduct. When Feliz attempted to flee, a scuffle ensued during which Rivera used a Taser before resorting to his firearm.
Tisch’s decision aligns with the conclusion reached in 2020 by a separate investigation conducted by the office of State Attorney General Letitia James, which declined to press charges against Rivera, citing strong evidence that the shooting was justified. The union representing the police officer commended Tisch’s ruling, characterizing it as a decision based on facts and the law rather than political considerations.
Nevertheless, Feliz’s family and supporters intend to gather outside police headquarters in lower Manhattan to voice their disapproval of the commissioner’s verdict. In a statement, the family expressed their anger and disappointment towards Commissioner Tisch for her decision not to dismiss or even discipline Rivera, describing it as outrageous, cowardly, and shameful. Organizers of the rally mentioned that the city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board, an independent agency overseeing the police, has until Friday to respond to Tisch’s ruling before it is deemed final. As of now, the board has not responded to requests for comment.
