Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who is leading in the polls, has proposed transferring the authority to discipline police officers from the NYPD commissioner to the city’s civilian oversight board, the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB).
The largest union representing NYPD officers has criticized Mamdani’s plan, warning that such changes would undermine policing in New York City, with officers already concerned about the fairness of the CCRB’s processes.
Mamdani, a self-described socialist, expressed his intentions to empower the CCRB, allowing it to have the final say in significant disciplinary cases instead of merely making recommendations to the commissioner, as is the current practice.
“I believe the CCRB should have real authority and not just provide recommendations,” Mamdani stated. “It must be an empowered body that takes significant accountability in its oversight.”
During a press conference in Manhattan, he emphasized, “The CCRB’s recommendations should be regarded as the definitive authority on accountability.”
His comments have sparked immediate and strong backlash as the Queens state assemblyman, who is currently navigating an apology tour for previous anti-police remarks, continues to address individual officers while on the campaign trail.
“Allowing the CCRB to take final disciplinary action could signal the collapse of effective policing in this city,” responded Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association.
“Officers feel there’s no possibility of a fair hearing from the CCRB, which is perceived to be influenced by anti-police sentiments,” Hendry stated.
“Should Assemblyman Mamdani choose to advance this initiative, he will demonstrate that his statements about engaging with police officers are insincere—his true aim is to defund the police,” he added.
The Sergeants Benevolent Association warned that granting more power to the CCRB could lead to a significant loss of police personnel from the department.
“Empowering the CCRB further will negatively impact morale and worsen our issues with recruitment and retention,” cautioned SBA President Vincent Vallelong.
“If this is Mamdani’s vision for the NYPD, he will not receive the support of those who work tirelessly to keep this city safe around the clock.”
Mamdani’s position is consistent with the Democratic Socialists of America’s ideology, which advocates for increased authority for the CCRB while criticizing police commissioners who deviate from the board’s recommendations.
Earlier in the year, Queens Councilwoman Tiffany Caban criticized Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch for not terminating Lt. Jonathan Rivera following the fatal traffic stop shooting of Allan Feliz.
During his previous campaigns, Mamdani has faced scrutiny for his comments regarding the NYPD, having previously labeled the department as “racist” and a “major threat to public safety” on social media in 2020.
He acknowledged over two weeks ago that he needed to apologize to the NYPD for those remarks, though he has since struggled to provide a clear timeline for making amends.
In a bid to distance himself from his former “defund the police” views ahead of the November election, Mamdani has received mixed feedback on his shifting rhetoric.
Democratic operatives suggested to The Post that his evasive answers will ultimately rally the DSA in support of his campaign.
If elected, Mamdani may initiate a Charter Review Commission to consider a ballot measure that would allow voters to decide whether the CCRB should hold more authority over disciplinary actions than the police commissioner.
Vallelong, head of the sergeants’ union, expressed strong opposition to any move that would reduce the commissioner’s influence in favor of the civilian review board.
“Any efforts to weaken the police commissioner’s authority and shift that power to the CCRB will strongly face opposition from the SBA, and we will resist it fiercely,” Vallelong stated.
“Our department is part of the largest police force globally, which has made NYC the safest large city in America over recent years.”
Scott Munro, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, added, “Detectives are constantly under attack by those in the CCRB who disregard their work, which contributes to officers considering leaving the NYPD. If recruitment challenges are already significant, public safety could be seriously endangered if this goes forward.”
