NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Approach to NYPD Reform

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has initiated an internal review of the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) use of force. Despite this, several campaign promises remain unfulfilled. These promises included disbanding a controversial police unit and removing a database of suspected gang members.

According to Mamdani, “When the government uses force against a New Yorker, the standard for accountability must be at its highest.” He believes force should be used lawfully and only when absolutely necessary.

Since taking office over nine months ago, Mamdani has yet to disband the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group or eliminate the database of suspected gang members. These were central to his campaign, alongside reallocating police resources away from low-level offenses. For instance, public urination summonses have increased by 18%, contrary to Mamdani’s promise to reprioritize policing efforts.

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The review announcement follows the retirement of an officer involved in a 2024 shooting incident. The shooting occurred when officers responded to a house call from Win Rozario. Rozario, in a mental health crisis, reacted negatively, leading officers to use Tasers. He then grabbed scissors and was shot when advancing on officers. The officers were cleared of criminal charges in December 2025 as it couldn’t be disproved that their actions were justified under the law.

Mamdani aims to enhance accountability through this initiative, with an additional $2.6 million allocated to the Office of Inspector General for the NYPD. The NYPD will alert state authorities about retiring officers facing disciplinary action, potentially leading to decertification to prevent them from joining other agencies without scrutiny.

This review marks the first extensive use-of-force evaluation in over a decade, incorporating strong community engagement. Mamdani stated, “We have an obligation to Win’s family and to every New Yorker who calls for help in a moment of crisis.” The initiative seeks to ensure policies align with this responsibility.

Mamdani’s reform plan also involved a halt to arrests for minor offenses such as public urination and open container violations, arguing these detract from addressing violent crimes. During his tenure, these low-level crime summonses have seen a rise, complicating efforts to address more serious offenses.

Additionally, Mamdani had promised to eliminate the database of suspected gang members and disband the Strategic Response Group, criticized for its forceful tactics in suppressing protests. “As Mayor, I will disband the SRG, which has cost taxpayers millions in lawsuit settlements,” Mamdani articulated following his mayoral bid announcement.

Despite these promises, Mamdani retained Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams.