A top NYPD official, Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry, received tens of thousands of dollars in overtime pay in 2023, despite rules prohibiting managers from collecting such compensation. Daughtry made $60,000 more than the department’s top cop, exploiting a payroll loophole to receive time and a half. This raised concerns about the integrity of Mayor Eric Adams’ NYPD and how Daughtry was able to manipulate the system, contrasting with the scrutiny faced by lower-ranking officers.
Daughtry was promoted from a first-rank detective to an assistant commissioner in July 2023, allowing him to continue requesting overtime pay beyond the typical 80-hour workweek for manager-level employees. Despite this promotion, he continued to log extra hours and received nearly $15,000 in bonus cash for a two-week period in December. He even received extra pay for working a night shift, a privilege typically reserved for rank-and-file officers, adding another $1,000 to his earnings.
The revelation of Daughtry’s overtime pay sparked outrage among former NYPD chiefs and police sources, who criticized the executive for exploiting the system and earning more money than the police commissioner. The culture at the NYPD under the Adams administration came under scrutiny, with concerns raised about favoritism and connections influencing compensation within the department. Daughtry’s lack of supervisory experience coupled with his high earnings further highlighted the discrepancies within the organization.
Daughtry’s total earnings for the year amounted to $311,000, with over $141,000 coming from overtime and an additional $5,600 from night-shift pay. Despite the promotion to a civilian position ineligible for overtime, he continued to receive payments as a first-grade detective, which were reportedly approved by high-ranking officials in the department. The promotion also shielded him from investigations by the Civilian Complaint Review Board, with dropped charges reported by The City newsroom.
Being a protégée of Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, Daughtry’s career trajectory closely followed that of his mentor. His proximity to top officials and relationship with Mayor Adams’ inner circle led to his promotion to assistant commissioner, where he served as a liaison to City Hall. Despite the controversy surrounding his overtime pay, Daughtry has been praised for his role in expanding the NYPD’s drone program and his dedication to being actively involved in policing efforts on the streets. His recent promotion to deputy commissioner of operations rendered him ineligible for overtime moving forward.
