Howard Redmond, the NYPD Inspector who formerly led ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio’s security detail, has been suspended without pay, according to an NYPD department-wide email. Redmond’s suspension, details of which were not provided, comes amidst allegations of obstructing an investigation.
The former security head is accused of undermining an internal probe into possible misuse of NYPD security by de Blasio and his family during his time in office. While no public criminal charges have been filed against him, his suspension without pay typically signifies severe accusations such as internal misconduct or potential criminal charges.
Redmond has faced scrutiny since late 2021 when the city Department of Investigation (DOI) referred his case to the Manhattan district attorney for potential indictment. This referral was part of a DOI report that found de Blasio misused his NYPD security detail for personal and political activities, including out-of-state campaign trips during his unsuccessful 2020 presidential run.
The investigation was triggered by former Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett’s claim that Dante de Blasio, the mayor’s son, used NYPD security as a “concierge service.” A comprehensive 49-page report suggested that Redmond intentionally withheld his phone from investigators for several months and ultimately destroyed it under the pretense of receiving an upgrade. The report also alleged that he instructed his team to hinder the NYPD from accessing EPU communications during the investigation.
The Manhattan DA’s office has been tight-lipped about the investigation. However, it’s known that Redmond and all NYPD detectives who worked on de Blasio’s detail during his tenure have been interviewed.
City payroll records indicate that Redmond, now assigned to the city’s Emergency Management Agency, a typical post for police officials overseeing city disaster preparedness—earned over $230,000 as an NYPD employee last year.
Redmond’s suspension follows the Conflicts of Interest Board ordering de Blasio to reimburse the city nearly $475,000 for misusing his NYPD detail during his failed 2020 presidential bid. The former mayor has taken legal action to overturn this ruling, which his lawyer deems “dangerous, beyond the scope of their powers, and illegal.”
Despite the looming indictment, de Blasio continues to support Redmond, praising his nearly 30-year NYPD tenure as a “devoted public servant.”
