Former, now retired NYPD Chief of Department John Chell announced Sunday, April 26, that he is running for mayor in 2029. Chell retired at the end of 2025, announcing his decision in October of that year, after former New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced his decision to pull out of the race in September. Chell, who completed over three decades of service with the NYPD, had made the news in recent years for publicly clashing on social media with some reporters over crime and policing-related coverage.

In a social media post on Sunday, April 26, Chell wrote, “Good morning, NYC. I’ve been on the phone all day with friends, elected officials, and family. Yes, I’m exploring a run for mayor. Enough is enough. I have roughly a year and change to explore this endeavor and create a strategic path. I’m a registered Independent, which means to me: what’s right is right, and what’s wrong is wrong.”

 

He continued, “I won’t be controlled or subscribe to the norms that have gotten us into this position. I will listen and learn—taking the good from people and discarding the bad. I have a platform, a message, and a résumé. I’m a wildcard. It’s a heavy lift, but anything is possible. I’m a retired civil servant—everything to gain, nothing to lose.”

In a later post on another social media platform on Monday, April 27, Chell wrote, “I’m a registered Independent—no party, no labels. Right down the middle. Call it purple if you want. To me, it’s simple: what’s right is right, and what’s wrong is wrong. I’m retired. I live a simple life. I don’t have to do this. But I love this city—and I gave nearly 32 years to it.”

 

He added, “So what’s another 8 if it means helping course-correct? Maybe this is a Hail Mary. I’m a wildcard. But I’ve got nothing to lose—and everything to gain for this great metropolis NYC. I won’t be controlled. I don’t subscribe to the status quo or political norms. That’s part of how we got here. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. And there’s never a wrong time to do the right thing. #Chell2029” 

 

The retired police chief is running on a platform of accountability for all, public safety, public housing, children, and quality of life. His motto is “Make NYC Make Sense Again.” Chell talked about how people didn’t take U.S. President Donald Trump seriously when he first announced he was running for president as he famously descended down the escalator of his Trump Tower building, and he also referenced New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s early low polling numbers of one percent, seemingly taking inspiration from both elected officials who eventually won their respective races. Watch the full video of his announcement here.

 

Chell tagged the following two political groups @GOPStatenIsland, @DemocratsSI, and the following center to right leaning news outlets, @nypost, @ViralNewsNYC, @FoxNews, @NEWSMAX, along with center to right-leaning talk show host, @DrPhil.

Reaction to the announcement was mixed, with some praising Chell, some wanting him to clarify his position on certain topics, and some clearly opposing him.

 

Tony D wrote, “Interesting, someone who wants to apply common sense to politics..” while WestHarlm wrote, “What’s your stance on abortion? You’ll never win if you’re pro-choice.”

 

Meanwhile, Theo Chino wrote, “Just to let you know, the United States is a two party system, so you need to pick a side. The middle is just noise because of the state Constitution. You believe to have a voice, but in reality, until something is done, you have no voice. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you can be a participant. https://politicscenter.us.”

 

Another person, Alex Bores for Congress in #NY-12, wrote, “You were trying to move to Florida just two months ago. Why don’t you stick with that plan?” Timmy Facciola asked, “What are some of your ideas that are ‘left’ as you say?”

 

 

Ossé was later released from custody following the intervention of Menin and other city council members who went to the precinct where he was held to demand his release.

 

Council Members Alexa Avilés, Tiffany Cabán, and Shahana Hanif released the following statement on Ossé’s arrest, writing, “We are outraged by the violent arrest of our colleague Council Member Chi Ossé, and demand his immediate release from NYPD custody. We witnessed a brutal police attack on a Council Member and community members defending a Black homeowner facing eviction through illegal deed theft. We again demand that Governor Hochul enact an eviction moratorium.”

 

It continued, “Black homeowners across our city are suffering from deed theft, and displacement is rampant across New York City’s Black, working-class communities as real-estate developers move in to serve corporate interests––driving destructive, violent, and racist harm. We condemn, in the strongest terms, this violent act of policing and the predatory deed theft policies faced by homeowners across our city and demand no one be displaced as they fight their cases.”

 

On April 24, as reported, with Ossé in attendance, Mamdani announced the establishment of the City’s first Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention and appointed Peter White as the office’s director.

 

Chell was succeeded by NYPD Chief Michael Lipetri following his retirement.