The New York City Police Department has confirmed a shakeup at the top of the department after its highest-ranking uniformed officer departed Friday evening.

Department head Jeffrey Maddrey suddenly resigned after being accused of demanding sex from a subordinate. Maddrey will be replaced by Patrol Chief John Chell, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed in a statement.

Maddrey was not mentioned by name in Tisch’s statement. A department spokesman declined to comment on the allegations against Maddrey but said it “takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and will investigate this matter thoroughly.”

Lt. Quathisha Epps, who holds an administrative post in Maddrey’s office, told the New York Post that her boss had routinely demanded sex and other favors from her since he was named department head.

Epps told the newspaper that her attorney plans to file a statement of claim outlining her allegations with the city auditor’s office on Saturday.

The lieutenant’s allegations of sexual misconduct against Maddrey come after it was revealed that she was suspended this week amid an internal investigation into possible overtime abuse that cost her more than $400,000 last year.

Maddrey’s lawyer, Lambros Lambrou, told NBC New York that his client “denies the allegations of any sexual interaction,” “let alone sexual interaction in exchange for overtime.”

Lamdrou further said that his client plans to retire soon as he has just become a lawyer and has decided to step down early due to the sexual misconduct allegations. Maddrey has plans to open a private practice, his attorney said.

The Justice Department and the Southern District of New York are currently investigating allegations related to significant overtime pay to Epps and her allegations against the Post of alleged sexual harassment, a source familiar with the matter told NBC New York. Spokespeople for the DOI and SDNY declined to comment.

Maddrey’s attorney said he was unaware of any investigation. Messages left with Epps and her attorney were not immediately returned Saturday.

Mayor Eric Adams said the allegations against Maddrey were “extremely concerning and alarming.”

“The police commissioner is conducting a full review of all personnel, but she is also conducting a full review of this matter,” Adams told the press at an unrelated event in Brooklyn.

“I have a lot of trust and the city has a lot of trust in Police Commissioner Tisch. It is conducting its review internally and we will decide how to proceed with these allegations.”

Maddrey was department head for two years. During this time he worked under four different police commissioners. Former Commissioner Keechant Sewell appointed Maddrey in December 2022 – she was preceded by Eddie Caban, Tom Donlon and Tisch, who has been in office for less than a month.

Maddrey joined the police force in 1991 at age 20, rising to chief of housing in 2021 and chief of patrol later that year before being promoted to chief of department, according to his department bio.

Earlier this year, an administrative law judge recommended the department drop disciplinary proceedings against Maddrey over a November 2021 incident in which he directed officers to vacate the arrest of a retired officer who previously worked for him.

The judge ruled at the time that the city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board, a police watchdog agency, had no jurisdiction. pursue the case further.

Tisch announced that Transportation Chief Philip Rivera will assume the role of patrol chief.

“The NYPD works tirelessly to keep New Yorkers safe, and these roles are critical to keeping our communities safe,” Tisch said. “The interim department and patrol chiefs will continue to lead efforts to reduce crime and disorder and build public trust.”

According to the NYPD, the department chief is tasked with overseeing the department’s “crime-fighting strategies, quality of life initiatives and operational plans.”