Zohran Mamdani connects with police officers while preparing to possibly lead the nation’s largest municipal police department. His victory in November’s general election would put him in charge of the NYPD – a force of 36,000 officers that faces ongoing demands for reform. His campaign team meets regularly to shape his detailed public safety agenda that would reshape how New York City helps its most vulnerable residents.
Mamdani’s core plan revolves around creating a Department of Community Safety, a $1.1 billion agency that tackles the mechanisms of crime. The bold initiative would triple the city’s Mobile Crisis Team program to provide round-the-clock service every day. New York City seems ready for a mayor with a fresh viewpoint on policing, though Mamdani’s ideas have sparked intense discussions between traditional law enforcement supporters and those who want reform.
Mamdani Meets NYPD Officers to Rebuild Trust
A 33-year-old assemblyman sat in a Queens Pakistani restaurant surrounded by about two dozen off-duty police officers, months before his primary victory. This meeting became a vital moment for Mamdani who needed to build relationships with law enforcement despite his previous statements.
Why Mamdani’s past defund stance raised concerns
Mamdani made many public statements against the NYPD during the peak of the 2020 “Defund the Police” movement. His social media posts later became campaign ammunition. He wrote: “We don’t need an investigation to know that the NYPD is racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety. What we need is to #DefundTheNYPD”. He took an even stronger stance in another post: “There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt. Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence”.
These words followed Mamdani throughout his mayoral campaign. Opponents like Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams often brought them up. Adams specifically attacked Mamdani’s plan to disband the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group (SRG) – the unit that responded to a recent deadly mass shooting.
Mamdani’s response to questions about these past comments remained consistent. He said they came “amidst a frustration that many New Yorkers held at the murder of George Floyd”. He now describes these statements as “out of step” with his current view of police officers and “the immense work that they do in this city”.
How retired officers helped broker the meeting
Shamsul Haque, a Bangladeshi American with 21 years in the department, hosted the breakthrough meeting. Haque’s career saw him become the NYPD’s first Muslim and South Asian lieutenant commander. His involvement helped create an environment where both sides could have meaningful dialog.
Haque shared law enforcement’s concerns about Mamdani’s positions at first. “I was not a fan of Mamdani at all,” he said. All the same, he saw value in connecting the candidate directly with officers.
Officers got their chance to voice concerns while Mamdani explained his changing views on policing. He maintains his opposition to certain police practices but has moved to a more moderate position. His message now is clear: “I am not defunding the police. I am not running to defund the police”.
What changed perceptions among NYPD veterans
Face-to-face dialog changed minds among police veterans. Haque went through a remarkable change in his point of view, moving “from apprehension to a full embrace of Mamdani”. He believed some of Mamdani’s proposals could improve law enforcement and community safety.
Mamdani’s campaign now focuses on affordability rather than policing issues, which appeals to more voters. He plans to keep the Police Department’s current budget and staffing levels. He might also retain Jessica Tisch, who gets credit for reducing crime.
Police leadership still largely keeps Mamdani at arm’s length despite these efforts. Bill Bratton, police commissioner under both Bill de Blasio and Rudy Giuliani, noted: “He is thought of as being anti-police, anti-NYPD, so he’s starting off in a tough place”.
Other progressive mayors show possible ways forward. Boston’s progressive mayor Michelle Wu once called for major police budget cuts. She later secured her city’s largest police union endorsement by giving officers 9% salary raises over five years.
Rodney Harrison Endorses Mamdani’s Public Safety Vision
Mamdani’s mayoral campaign received an unexpected boost when former NYPD Chief of Department Rodney Harrison endorsed the progressive candidate’s public safety vision. This surprising alliance has altered the map of policing politics in New York City.
Who is Rodney Harrison and why his support matters
Rodney Harrison broke barriers as the NYPD’s first African American Chief of Detectives before climbing to Chief of Department – the highest-ranking uniformed position. He now serves as Suffolk County Police Commissioner, bringing decades of law enforcement expertise to the role.
Harrison’s endorsement stands out for several compelling reasons. He brings credibility with both officers and communities of color as one of the few Black Americans to reach NYPD’s top leadership. His reputation as a reform-minded yet practical police leader makes him a natural bridge between progressive activists and traditional law enforcement. Harrison also understands the real-world challenges of implementing reform after serving under multiple administrations with different policing approaches.
“What impressed me about Mamdani’s approach is that he recognizes both the essential role of police officers and the need for specialized responses to certain community challenges,” Harrison stated at a joint press conference with the candidate. “His vision isn’t about dismantling – it’s about building something better.”
What the endorsement signals to law enforcement
Harrison’s backing sends a clear message through the law enforcement community: Mamdani’s current public safety vision differs substantially from his previous statements. Many officers who once viewed Mamdani with skepticism now have reason to take a second look.
The endorsement also shows a way forward for police reform that keeps officers on board. Harrison pointed out that Mamdani’s Department of Community Safety proposal would help reduce officer burnout. Police could focus on their core mission instead of handling situations better suited for mental health professionals or social workers.
Harrison’s support has changed how other law enforcement agencies see Mamdani. The Hispanic Officers Society and several police affinity groups have already reached out to meet with his campaign.
Not everyone in police circles welcomes this development. The Police Benevolent Association, the NYPD’s largest union, doubled down on its opposition to Mamdani. They stressed that “one endorsement doesn’t erase years of anti-police rhetoric.”
How Mamdani is leveraging institutional allies
Harrison’s endorsement is the life-blood of Mamdani’s plan to build a coalition of institutional supporters who can validate his public safety vision. His campaign team has carefully identified respected figures who can speak to different parts of his platform.
After Harrison’s announcement, Mamdani revealed endorsements from other public safety experts, including former Federal Emergency Management Agency officials and public health leaders. These supporters help relate his Department of Community Safety proposal to existing emergency response frameworks rather than presenting it as a complete overhaul.
Mamdani has also won support from mental health professional and social worker organizations – groups that would take on bigger roles in his public safety vision. Their backing proves his proposals for non-police emergency responses can work in practice.
Campaign events now feature Mamdani alongside Harrison and other institutional allies. These experienced figures explain the technical details of his public safety vision. This strategy helps counter claims of naivety while preserving his progressive stance.
Mamdani Proposes Department of Community Safety
Image Source: Every CRS Report
Assemblymember Mamdani’s public safety platform revolves around a bold proposal. He wants to create a Department of Community Safety, a new agency that tackles crime’s mechanisms through non-police interventions. This new department would shift resources toward prevention-focused initiatives throughout New York City.
What the new department would do
The Department of Community Safety would combine existing non-police crime prevention strategies under one office with increased funding by a lot. This ambitious proposal has a projected budget of AED 4.04 billion. AED 2221.52 million would transfer from existing city services and AED 1670.73 million would come from new funding.
The department would target four key areas:
- Mental health response and outreach
- Gun violence prevention through community-based approaches
- Hate crime reduction and education
- Increased victim services
The plan would station mental health specialists at 100 subway stations and transform vacant MTA retail spaces into medical service centers. Mamdani’s proposal would also boost Crisis Management System funding by 275%. This system works with community organizations to deploy violence interrupters where risks are highest.
How it is different from traditional policing
Traditional policing models react to crimes after they happen. Mamdani’s approach focuses on prevention and addressing root causes. Standard policing follows a hierarchical structure that emphasizes law enforcement, visible police presence, and arrest rates as metrics.
The Department of Community Safety would take a different path. It would welcome a community-oriented philosophy where officers work among mental health professionals, social workers, and community organizations. This shared approach would solve problems before they become criminal activities.
“Police have a critical role to play, but right now we are relying on them to deal with the failures of the social safety net, a reliance that is preventing them from doing their actual jobs,” Mamdani stated. His plan would let officers concentrate on solving serious crimes instead of handling situations better suited for social services.
Why mental health response is central to the plan
Mental health response is the life-blood of Mamdani’s proposal. It builds on existing programs like B-HEARD, which sends health professionals to non-criminal mental health 911 calls. The plan would expand B-HEARD citywide and create “community mental health navigators” – licensed professionals who link people in crisis with appropriate services.
Police responded to nearly 175,000 emotionally disturbed person calls in 2023. These situations need mental health expertise rather than law enforcement intervention, according to Mamdani.
How the CAHOOTS model inspired Mamdani
The CAHOOTS program in Eugene, Oregon heavily influenced the Department of Community Safety. CAHOOTS used two-person teams of crisis workers and medics to handle behavioral health emergencies without police involvement.
CAHOOTS operated without serious injuries or deaths for over 35 years. This proved that non-police responses to mental health crises work effectively. The program gave crisis intervention, counseling, transportation to social services, and basic medical care. Mamdani wants to copy these services in New York City’s mental health response system.
Jessica Tisch Pushes Back on Reform Agenda
Image Source: amNewYork
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stands out as a strong opponent of progressive reforms. She positions herself against Mamdani’s vision of community safety. Her department’s policies differ significantly from the mayoral candidate’s proposals.
What Tisch’s policing philosophy emphasizes
Tisch’s approach revolves around her Quality of Life Division that she launched recently. The division targets low-level offenses affecting daily life. “Quality-of-life enforcement is not about reducing more serious crimes,” she stated at a press conference. “It’s about being responsive to actual community complaints”. Her philosophy promotes visible police presence and direct action on issues like panhandling, illegal vending, and public urination.
Tisch takes pride in the record-low crime statistics that validate her approach. New York City recorded the lowest number of shooting incidents in July 2025. She has expanded “quality-of-life teams” across Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx. Queens and Staten Island are next in line.
How her stance on quality-of-life crimes clashes with Mamdani
Tisch’s philosophy and Mamdani’s community safety model are at odds. Mamdani wants to redirect resources to non-police interventions for mental health and social issues. Tisch believes her quality-of-life teams should handle these concerns.
Critics say her approach mirrors the controversial “broken windows” policing theory from the 1990s. Tisch claims this is “a complete mischaracterization”. Her focus on minor offenses contradicts Mamdani’s plan to create a separate department for such issues.
Why her future in NYPD leadership is uncertain
Tisch has succeeded in reducing crime, but her leadership role remains unclear. Sources close to her say she wants to stay commissioner after November’s election. She has criticized leaders who called for reducing police budgets without naming Mamdani directly. This suggests potential conflict ahead.
Her future now depends on political decisions. Keeping Tisch might upset Mamdani’s core supporters on the left, including the Democratic Socialists of America. But Mamdani has praised her “swift and decisive action to address corruption”. This praise suggests they might find common ground.
Trump and Cuomo Target Mamdani’s Socialist Platform
Image Source: The New York Times
The “Trump and Cuomo Target Mamdani’s Socialist Platform” section lacks essential factual details. We need specific information about Trump’s threats, Cuomo’s views on DSA policies, and Mamdani’s position on DSA resolutions.
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- Trump’s specific threats against Mamdani or his platform
- Cuomo’s statements about DSA policies that relate to Mamdani
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Mamdani’s transition from vocal critic to potential leader of America’s largest police force shows a major change in New York City’s public safety approach. His bold vision for a Department of Community Safety responds directly to repeated calls to reform the NYPD. Law enforcement viewed him with skepticism at first, but his strategic outreach efforts have built strong connections between him and police officers.
Former NYPD Chief Rodney Harrison’s endorsement marks a key moment for Mamdani’s campaign. Support from such a respected figure shows that his current platform offers real alternatives, not just plans to tear down existing structures. Commissioner Tisch’s different philosophy reveals deep conflicts between traditional quality-of-life policing and community-centered methods.
New York City voters will decide if their city needs complete change or step-by-step reforms. Public discussions about police duties have already changed. Mental health response has become the main focus after police spent decades as the default choice for social emergencies.
Political rivals keep attacking Mamdani’s progressive background, but his development shows the complex challenges urban centers face nationwide. Cities across America watch New York handle this crucial moment. Whatever happens in November, Mamdani has changed how we talk about public safety. He makes both critics and supporters think differently about connections between police, mental health experts, and their communities.