NYPD Official Promoted Following Previous Hiring Controversy

Deputy Inspector Terrell Anderson is slated to be promoted to the rank of deputy chief this Friday, marking a significant career advancement just over a year after he was reassigned due to a hiring scandal.

In May 2025, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch transferred Anderson from his post as head of the Candidate Assessment Division to the Housing Bureau. The move followed reports that Anderson had authorized the entry of approximately 80 police academy applicants who had failed to pass mandatory background checks or psychological evaluations.

Following the discovery, the department attempted to terminate 31 officers who had been hired under these circumstances. However, the Police Benevolent Association challenged the move in court, and in December 2025, a State Supreme Court justice ordered the full reinstatement of those officers.

Chris Monahan, president of the Captains Endowment Association, has defended Anderson’s actions, asserting that the supervisor was operating within the scope of his authority and following directives established by previous department leadership.

Internal accounts regarding the circumstances of the hiring decisions remain varied. Some sources have suggested that Anderson, a 22-year veteran of the force, had previously expressed concerns regarding potential racial bias in the psychological testing process. Other reports indicate that he may have faced internal pressure to increase the size of academy classes. It remains unclear whether Anderson formally alerted Internal Affairs to these pressures before the controversy became public.

While the NYPD confirmed that Anderson faced disciplinary measures following his initial transfer, the department noted that such actions do not preclude future promotions. Since his reassignment, Anderson has served as the executive officer for Brooklyn North. He has not provided a public comment regarding the upcoming promotion.