Full Breakdown
Allegations of Incomplete Background Checks in NYC Sheriff's Office Hiring Practices
4/2/2026, 6:19:38 AM
Core Event: Supervisor Removed Over Background Check Concerns
A supervisor at the New York City Sheriff’s Office has been reassigned after raising concerns about the department's hiring practices, specifically regarding the bypassing of complete background checks for over 80 deputy sheriffs hired in 2025. The supervisor, who has worked in the department for approximately 15 years and requested anonymity, claims that Sheriff Anthony Miranda expedited the hiring process to achieve a record class size, compromising the integrity of the background checks.
Background & Context: The Push for a Record Class Size
In September 2024, Sheriff Anthony Miranda announced plans for the 2025 class of sheriff’s deputies to be the largest in the office's history, with 90 recruits. This initiative was partly in response to high vacancy rates and the need to address unlicensed cannabis shops across the city. The urgency to fill these positions led to allegations that candidates were allowed to enter the academy without completed background checks.
Key Figures: Sheriff Anthony Miranda and Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry
Sheriff Anthony Miranda, who took office in 2022, has been at the center of the controversy. He has publicly stated that while the sheriff’s office makes recommendations for new hires, the final approval rests with the Department of Finance. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry has also highlighted the significance of the 2025 class, calling it the “biggest class in the history” of the administration under former Mayor Eric Adams.
Criticism & Opposition: Concerns Over Hiring Practices
The reassigned supervisor expressed serious concerns about the hiring process, stating that it is inappropriate to hire individuals who may not have undergone thorough background checks, especially those who will carry firearms. The supervisor noted that some recruits had questionable pasts, including a former corrections officer with an alleged illicit relationship with a detainee and a candidate with significant tax liabilities. This has raised alarms about the potential risks associated with hastily hired personnel.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the allegations, Sheriff Miranda asserted that all candidates undergo the same process and standards, emphasizing that individual investigators do not set their own standards. He also indicated that background investigations are confidential and any breaches of this confidentiality should be reported to the appropriate departments. A spokesperson for the Department of Finance confirmed that external assistance has been sought to improve the background check process moving forward.
What's Next: Future Oversight of Background Checks
As the situation unfolds, the Department of Finance has requested the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to take over the background check process for upcoming classes while evaluating options to enhance internal procedures. This move indicates a recognition of the need for reform in the hiring practices of the sheriff’s office.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You can’t just hire people carrying guns around the city, you know?” — Anonymous Sheriff’s Office Employee
- “No one had a full background done based on our training, the way how we’re supposed to do things legitimately,” — Anonymous Sheriff’s Office Employee
- “Every candidate goes through the same process and standards,” — Sheriff Anthony Miranda
- “We have asked DCAS to assume responsibility for the background check process for upcoming classes while DOF’s new commissioner evaluates options to improve the process internally,” — Department of Finance Spokesperson
