50 Organizations Urge NYPD Commissioner to Fire Lt. Jonathan Rivera for Killing Allan Feliz

April 1, 2025

Police Commissioner Tisch

New York Police Department

1 Police Plaza

New York, NY 10038

Mayor Eric Adams

City Hall

New York, NY 10007

Cc: Jonathan Darche, Executive Director, Civilian Complaint Review Board

Re: Killing of Allan Feliz by Lt. Jonathan Rivera

Dear Commissioner Tisch and Mayor Adams,

The undersigned organizations urgently call on you to follow the recommendation of NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Trials Rosemarie Maldonado to fire Lt. Jonathan Rivera for killing Allan Feliz in 2019. This is not only a matter of what is just, but also a test of your commitment to police accountability, public safety, and the dignity of all New Yorkers. We are deeply concerned that we have now passed the family’s March 31 deadline and it has been nearly two months since Deputy Commissioner Maldondo found that Lt. Rivera violated NYPD protocols, broke the law, and lied to excuse himself from culpability and yet, you have not taken action to remove Lt. Rivera from the NYPD. Firing Lt. Rivera is the only just and ethical decision in this matter and it cannot wait any longer.

For over half a decade, the Feliz family has endured delays, obstruction, and an unconscionable lack of accountability from the NYPD. It is past time for Lt. Rivera to be fired and for the Feliz family to gain a measure of closure. It’s also past time for New Yorkers to have leaders that prioritize their safety over shielding abusive officers like Lt. Rivera, whose extensive record of misconduct is well-documented. Keeping Lt. Rivera on the force sends a clear and dangerous message that the NYPD tolerates and even protects officers who harm New Yorkers.

Commissioner Tisch:

As the new Police Commissioner, you have an opportunity to set a new tone for the NYPD—one that rejects the systemic impunity of the past. Your predecessors have buried hundreds of misconduct cases and refused to discipline officers who have harmed New Yorkers, especially Black and Latine communities. Break with that shameful legacy. Firing Lt. Rivera swiftly will demonstrate that the NYPD under your leadership will not tolerate excessive force, racial profiling, or the disregard of human dignity and life. Continuing to delay will only protect Lt. Rivera and cause the Feliz family more harm.

Mayor Adams: 

During your 2021 campaign, you pledged to make police accountability a cornerstone of your administration. Yet, your actions have repeatedly protected abusive officers and shielded the NYPD from meaningful scrutiny. Failing to fire Lt. Rivera will only deepen the perception that the priorities of your leadership are misguided.

The Killing of Allan Feliz

Allan Feliz, an unarmed Dominican father from Washington Heights, was pulled over by the NYPD in a car stop that reeks of racial profiling. Once stopped, he was unlawfully detained further. Within seconds, Lt. Rivera climbed into Mr. Feliz’s car on top of Mr. Feliz’s passenger, beat, tased, and threatened to kill Mr. Feliz. Lt. Rivera then shot Mr. Feliz point-blank in the chest. After shooting Mr. Feliz, Lt. Rivera and the other officers involved left him bleeding out in the street, handcuffed, with his genitals exposed.  Mr. Feliz posed no threat. His car was at a stop when Lt. Rivera pulled the trigger. There was no justification for this execution-style killing.

The facts are clear: this was an egregious use of excessive force and a blatant disregard for human life. Lt. Rivera and the officers involved should have been removed from the NYPD years ago. Now, finally, an NYPD Deputy Commissioner has evaluated the facts, found that Lt. Rivera is  guilty of violating the NYPD’s use of force guidelines in a manner equivalent to Assault in the 1st Degree  and is calling for him to be dismissed from the NYPD. 

NYPD Obstruction of Discipline for Lt. Rivera

The NYPD’s handling of this case has been defined by delays and obstruction designed to protect Lt. Rivera. The Force Investigation Division delayed its investigation for two and a half years, conveniently surpassing the statute of limitations for most discipline charges. This pattern of obstruction mirrors other high-profile cases, such as the killing of Kawaski Trawick, in which abusive officers faced no consequences. Even when the CCRB substantiated fireable allegations against Lt. Rivera in May 2023, the NYPD delayed serving charges so that a discipline trial could be scheduled for nearly a year. This consistent failure to discipline officers for misconduct must end under your leadership.

Act Now

New York City deserves leaders who prioritize the safety and dignity of its people over the protection of abusive officers. Lt. Rivera’s continued presence on the force is a threat to public safety and a stain on the NYPD’s credibility. Deputy Commissioner Maldonado made her recommendation for his dismissal over a month ago. Any further failure to act on that recommendation is unacceptable. We call on you to immediately fire Lt. Rivera, without access to his pension or a “good guy” letter that would allow him to retain his gun. Anything less would be an abdication of your responsibility to the people of this city.

Sincerely,