City Council members continue to voice concerns over how some NYPD officials use of social media, with Deputy Council Speaker Diana Ayala saying Friday that the behavior could erode the public's trust in the department.

Ayala, who represents areas including the Upper East Side, East Harlem and the South Bronx, condemned the NYPD's online conduct during an interview on "Mornings On 1," following a testy hearing on Thursday when police officials faced scrutiny for recent posts targeting public figures critical of NYPD tactics.

"I believe that it does [compromise public trust], and I believe that it sets a very dangerous precedent," she said.

What You Need To Know

  • City Council members continue to voice concerns over how some NYPD officials use of social media following a hearing Thursday to examine the NYPD's budget

  • The hearing turned testy when police officials faced scrutiny for recent posts targeting public figures critical of NYPD tactics

  • On Wednesday, the Department of Investigation launched a probe into the police department’s "relevant social media use and exchanges"

Tensions flared during the City Council hearing Thursday when officials were questioned about NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell’s online criticism of Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán, a progressive lawmaker, for her support of college student protestors, with his post seemingly advocating action against her.

That incident occurred just weeks after he also targeted Daily News columnist Henry Siegel for criticizing the police department's portrayal of crime reduction. He even went so far as to label him "Harry 'Deceitful' Siegel."

On Wednesday, the Department of Investigation launched a probe into the police department’s “relevant social media use and exchanges,” after the City Council speaker and Legal Aid Society asked for an investigation.

NYPD officers at the hearing refused to comment on officials’ social media use, with Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matter Michael Gerber and Commissioner Edward Caban noting it would be “inappropriate” to comment during an ongoing DOI investigation.

Although the hearing was initially supposed to address the NYPD's fiscal budget, Ayala defended the shift in focus.

“I think that the questions were important enough to ask, I think it’s unfortunate that we have to utilize a budget hearing to talk about something so silly as interactions on social media, but that's where we are,” she said.

Ayala emphasized the importance of free speech for all, but stressed the responsibility that comes with holding public office, especially within the NYPD.

“These are personal attacks that are unprofessional and it's a misuse of government programs and services because those are services that are taxpayer funded, and they have absolutely no right to use that as a tool to be vindictive against any elected official, or anyone for that matter,” she said.