NYPD Chief of Department John Chell has told close associates he’s planning to put in his papers to retire soon, possibly as early as this week, after an at times tumultuous tenure as the city’s top uniformed cop, sources with knowledge of the move told the Daily News.

Rumors about Chell’s departure have swirled since summer 2024, but he stayed on as chief of patrol when Jessica Tisch took over as police commissioner last year in the wake of her predecessor, Edward Caban, resigning after being ensnared in a federal corruption investigation.

But two sources familiar with the matter said Chell is now finalizing his retirement plans. The sources said he plans to seek a disability pension that would provide him with a tax-free, lifetime benefit equal to 75% of his salary. He’s applying

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