NYPD officer fired from his job after public dispute with commissioner – but hours later he’s back

A senior NYPD official was removed from his post after a heated public behind-the-scenes clash with the interim police commissioner – but he was officially back hours later following media inquiries about the ouster.

The department’s chief of staff, Tarik Sheppard, was removed after he and interim Commissioner Tom Donlon scuffled during a botched photo op at the New York City Marathon, sources told The Post.

But after media inquiries about the recent turmoil in embattled Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, officials maintained that nothing had changed for Sheppard. Sheppard also served as deputy commissioner of public information, a civilian position that handles media inquiries.

“The mayor is angry about this whole story,” a source told The Post. “With everything that’s going on with him [federal] Since this is a criminal investigation, he doesn’t have to ask questions about internal power struggles within the police department.”

“Yesterday he called the argument a ‘spousal argument,'” the source continued. “The mayor didn’t want another story today about Sheppard being out after calling the incident a marital dispute [because] he would have looked even worse than he already looks.”

The back-and-forth at City Hall appears to be just another front in a bitter battle between Donlon, a respected former FBI official named head of a department beleaguered by federal investigations, and Sheppard, the chief of staff who is being replaced by his pal, the mayor of Donlon, was appointed over his own objections.

The power struggle comes as the Adams administration faces federal investigations into alleged corruption and influence peddling — including a historic indictment of Hizzoner himself, who is accused of taking bribes and defrauding the city of $10 million in public campaign funds of cheating, which he denies.

A police source said Adams himself was responsible for the trouble.

“It’s sad,” the source said. “The mayor has allowed the NYPD to become a soap opera, and he’s being the smart grandfather.”

But Sunday’s altercation appeared to be the final straw for Donlon, 71, who had already clashed with the police officer who had been appointed his chief of staff against his wishes, sources said.

The public uproar unfolded shortly before the marathon when Sheppard intruded on a group recording with the NYPD running club.

In the photo, Donlon’s scowling face sits between the shoulders of Sheppard and Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry at the starting point of the Staten Island marathon.

According to sources, Sheppard intruded on the image shared on X by a senior police officer, pushing the interim top cop into the background.

The commissioner told Sheppard to go away and shoved him in the arm — a dissent that led to an argument that only ended when NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey stepped in and physically separated them, sources said.

Adams downplayed the turmoil that unfolded before the marathon spectators’ eyes, comparing it to an argument between a married couple.

“Just because you have an argument with your spouse, your child or your business partner doesn’t mean you don’t love them,” he said Monday. “If that was a sign that you don’t care about the other person in your life, then we’re all in trouble.”

But it seemed inevitable that Donlon and Sheppard were headed for a divorce — especially after a meeting Sheppard had last week in the commissioner’s office where he told everyone he ran the office, sources said.

At the meeting Sheppard held while Donlon was away, Sheppard told the others that if they wanted to do anything – promotions, transfers or the like – they would have to go to him, sources said.

And if not, they would be deported, they added.

“The mayor completely created this chaotic situation,” a former NYPD supervisor with more than 40 years of experience claimed Monday.

“This is the most disrespectful act towards a police commissioner I have ever seen. The mayor who calls himself an ex-cop should be ashamed for allowing this to happen in the NYPD.”

Adams said he spoke with both Donlon and Sheppard after the fight about his expectations about how they should show “decency,” but would not elaborate.

Sources said Sheppard – a known friend of Adams – was expected to return to work as deputy commissioner of public information.

He did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

But DCPI issued a statement saying essentially nothing had changed.

“He is acting chief of staff and deputy commissioner of public information,” the department said.

The ongoing internal disputes are the result of a reorganization of the New York Police Department following the raid by federal agents on the home of former Commissioner Edward Caban in September, which led to his resignation.

Adams appointed Donlon to lead the department through the storm.

But the decision angered many senior NYPD officials, including Maddrey and Sheppard, who were largely given free rein under Caban, sources said.

The interim leader laid down the law during an early meeting – but disgruntled executives launched a behind-the-scenes pressure campaign that led to the firing of Donlon’s leadership team, including his former chief of staff, sources said.

Amid the chaos, Sheppard rose from deputy commissioner of public affairs to acting chief of staff — a move that caused a stir within the NYPD as many police officers only learned about it from social media, according to sources.