MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A former New York City Police (NYPD) patrol chief is now a consultant for Memphis Mayor Paul Young's public safety team.
The contract on the city's website said that Pichardo will work for five months consulting with city officials and Interim Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis on their public safety strategy. It's a strategy Mayor Young wants to be holistic.
"It's going to help us continue to get better with all of things that we do within the Memphis Police Department (MPD)," said Mayor Young. "He's going to be a support to me, to Chief Davis."
Our research shows that Pichardo resigned abruptly from NYPD in 2020. Reports said it was due to a rift between Pichardo and former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The City of Memphis released the following statement about Pichardo:
"Pichardo has been retained to develop further organizational efficiencies within MPD and the city's broader public safety efforts. In this role, he will support Chief Davis and the Mayor on all crime - and public safety-related work as we strive to create a world-class police force in Memphis."
After leaving NYPD, Pichardo consulted for the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD). This was a department facing a lot of the same issues as MPD. Mayor Young said while in New Orleans, Pichardo was able to help curb crime.
"I had a conversation with the mayor of New Orleans back in December, before I even took office. She told me they had 15 days in their city with no homicides and that's something I would love to see in our community," said Mayor Young.
Pichardo also had two complaints filed against him in 2020 that he allegedly issued an order to officers resulting in them striking individuals with batons during a summer protest against police brutality.
Records also show Pichardo, along with the New York City and five other individuals were sued in a New York federal court for their role in the protest. That case was ultimately settled.
It's important to note that Memphis taxpayers are not footing the bill for Pichardo's work. Memphis based First Horizon is picking up the expense.