Richard Khavkine

1 week ago | thechiefleader.com | Richard Khavkine

Ex-Rikers CO gets 6-month prison term for smuggling schemeBY RICHARD KHAVKINEPosted 4/18/25 A former Rikers correction officer has been sentenced to six months in prison for her role in a narcotics-smuggling scheme at the penal island. Ghislaine Barrientos, of Mount Vernon, had pleaded guilty in January to federal bribery charges for conspiring to smuggle cocaine, smokable synthetic cannabinoids known as “K2” and food to inmates at the Robert N.

1 week ago | thechiefleader.com | Richard Khavkine

Sergeants union, city finally reach dealBY RICHARD KHAVKINEPosted 4/18/25 After nearly two years of hard bargaining, the union representing NYPD sergeants and the city have chiseled a tentative contract agreement. The retroactive 5-year deal, which will be put to a vote of the Sergeants Benevolent Association's rank and file in the coming days, would net sergeants who were in the rank December 2021 and who work through Dec. 9 a compounded raise of nearly 19 percent.

1 week ago | thechiefleader.com | Richard Khavkine

Posted 4/18/25 The more than 2,000 state correction officers fired by Governor Kathy Hochul for taking part in an illegal strike earlier this year would be given an opportunity to get their jobs back, according to legislation introduced by two Upstate lawmakers.

1 week ago | thechiefleader.com | Richard Khavkine

Posted 4/18/25 The NYPD sergeant’s union is pushing back on efforts by city officials to institute a pilot program that would have its members work 12-shifts as a condition to settle outstanding contract issues. The president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, Vincent Vallelong, said the proposal to have his members, whom he says are already overburdened given their declining numbers, work the longer shifts would risk further burnout and also risk their health and safety.

2 weeks ago | thechiefleader.com | Richard Khavkine

Posted 4/11/25 A pay and discrimination lawsuit by 13 current and former Department of Sanitation workers against the city will go ahead following a federal judge’s finding that the plaintiffs have standing under the city’s human rights law and federal discrimination statutes.