Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is investigating police behavior following Gothamist story
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Apr 7, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Apr 7, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said his office is investigating police behavior after an exclusive Gothamist story reported on conversations between cops recorded by accident on a detainee’s phone.
Construction worker and dad Jonathan Wohl was arrested last September while recording himself staging a one-man protest in Midtown. During the arrest, police confiscated his phone, which kept recording for nearly eight hours, including while he was in a holding cell.
The police did not seem to be aware they were being recorded.
The tape offered a rare look into the day-to-day work of cops, and the conversations between them behind closed doors. They’re heard calling Wohl “an idiot,” referring to another detainee as a “liberal c–t,” and hinting at making extra money thanks to overtime due to arrests.
The NYPD and the The Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents police officers, declined to comment on the remarks made in the recording.
Hours after the Gothamist story was published, Public Advocate Williams, who serves as a watchdog over city government, said the dialogue served as an example of problems the NYPD has long been criticized for.
“These conversations coming to light confirms what we have long known: systemic bias and abuse of power endanger New Yorkers,” Williams tweeted. “Our office is investigating the alarms raised in the recordings captured by Jonathan Wohl. Discriminatory exchanges like these demand answers.”
In the recording, the arresting officer Enright referred to Wohl as a “professional idiot” and joked that it “would be funny if I EDP’d him,” an apparent reference to the NYPD’s designation of some suspects as emotionally disturbed persons.
“We are also concerned by the alleged undermining of due process and the right to legal representation, and the misuse of "EDP" status,” Williams said on Twitter. Such harmful practices feed into the criminalization of psychiatric disabilities and erode the very core of justice.”
Tagged
new york city
nypd
manhattan
Catalina Gonella
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani plans redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue after nurse killed in hit-and-run
Sunset Park residents and street safety advocates have called on city officials to make the avenue safer for years.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 4:00 a.m. ET
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .