The head of the agency responsible for overseeing NYPD discipline, whom critics label “anti-cop,” stands in alignment with Zohran Mamdani, an anti-police candidate for mayor — prompting calls for his dismissal from NYC’s largest police union.
Since Mohammed Khalid assumed the role of interim chair of the CCRB last December, he has consistently voted against police in 95% of substantiated claims, according to the Police Benevolent Association. In September alone, every single vote he cast was against the officers, the union reported.
Under his leadership, the agency has endorsed 97% of investigative outcomes — totaling 616 of 636 allegations against officers — as stated by the union.
“Dr. Khalid’s overtly biased voting history and reckless proposal to diminish the Police Commissioner’s power reveal him as yet another anti-cop figure masked in a facade,” remarked PBA President Patrick Hendry.
Khalid, a dentist from Staten Island, asserted during his confirmation that the public ought to “respect the NYPD” and noted that his community enjoys “a very good relationship with the police department.”
However, the union claims his actions tell a different story.
“He and his radical peers on the CCRB board are pushing dedicated officers away from the NYPD, ultimately endangering every neighborhood in New York City,” Hendry stated. “He needs to be removed from his position as interim chair.”
The CCRB examines complaints against officers and determines whether they are substantiated or unsubstantiated. The board members, including Khalid, then decide whether to ratify these findings. They can also recommend administrative consequences, such as reducing vacation days or mandating retraining.
Final disciplinary decisions are ultimately made by the police commissioner, based on the CCRB’s findings and suggestions.
The union also criticized Khalid’s radical stance on granting the CCRB final authority over officer discipline, challenging the existing system where the police commissioner holds the last say on penalties.
During a recent City Council session, Khalid advocated for the CCRB to possess final authority, expressing, “We are a tiger, but we don’t have the teeth.”
In a notable instance, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch opted to disregard the CCRB’s advice and decided against terminating Lt. Jonathan Rivera, who had shot unarmed ex-con Allan Feliz during a 2019 Bronx incident. Rivera justified his actions by claiming he opened fire to prevent Feliz from injuring a fellow officer.
A 41-year-old officer relayed to The Post that the CCRB cleared him of a use of force allegation during an arrest this year, yet recorded a failure to activate his body camera, which negatively affected his reputation.
This situation makes officers “reluctant to perform their duties,” remarked the anonymous officer.
“Even if they act properly, they will still receive complaints,” the officer noted. “This individual gets caught with cocaine but still lodges a complaint against them.”
A spokesperson for the CCRB, Dakota Gardner, emphasized that the agency “conducts thorough investigations” into all complaints.
“The alignment of our conclusions with the investigator’s recommendations illustrates how clear the evidence frequently is in many cases the board substantiates,” he stated. “Every board member is committed to responsibly and impartially adhering to the facts and the law, and any assertion to the contrary is completely inaccurate.”
