The New York Police Department’s highest paid employee, under investigation for massive amounts of overtime pay that contributed to a more than $400,000 salary, is retiring early. Lt. Quathisha Epps claimed to work more than 1,600 hours of overtime, which was uncovered in November by the New York Post.
Epps pulled in more than $204,000 in overtime pay on top of her base salary of around $164,000, plus fringe benefits which put her at $403,515 in 2024.
According to payroll records, her boss made around $292,000 that same year.
Sources told the Post that Epps’ overtime pay was capped after the report came out.
NYPD officials told her at the time she’d be put back on patrol, instead of just working her current desk job.
Now the Post learned Epps filed for retirement this week. She was just shy of 20 years with the department.
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Her early exit will impact her pension and cost her a reported $12,000 annually. This payment goes towards officers who retire after the two-decade mark.
The department has now officially launched an internal affairs probe into Epps. The investigation will look into allegations of falsified overtime hours, which includes Epps signing off on time slips herself. Investigators will also look at complaints of her coming into work late, leaving early or not showing up at all.
Epps’ history with the NYPD
Despite the investigation, Epps seemingly had a positive history with the NYPD.
In 2019, the department congratulated Epps for beating cancer three times, posting on social media for World Cancer Day.
Meet Lieutenant Epps: She is a 13-year NYPD veteran, mother, & cancer survivor. 18 years ago, she was first diagnosed with cancer. With the support of her family at home and family in blue, she has since fought cancer 3 times and is back in uniform serving NYC. #WorldCancerDay pic.twitter.com/ux64SIoyw8
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 5, 2019
The year before, in another post to social media, Epp’s precinct welcomed her back to full duty following cancer treatment.
The department also featured her in a 2017 video titled “Women Inspiring Women in the NYPD.”
Next steps in investigation
Following her recent retirement announcement, Epp’s last day was scheduled for Jan. 14, but the NYPD has suspended her without pay amid the investigation.
The department has 30 days to investigate before her pension goes into effect.
Epps hasn’t commented on the investigation.
