New York City Initiates Review of NYPD Use of Force Amid Calls for Reform
In a significant move towards police reform, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called for a review of the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) use of force for the first time in ten years. This decision comes as a response to increasing demands from progressive advocates for enhanced accountability and oversight within law enforcement.
Reform Package and Accountability Measures
The city announced plans to introduce a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at bolstering accountability for officers accused of serious misconduct. This initiative follows the retirement of an officer involved in the 2024 shooting of 19-year-old Win Rozario during a mental health crisis. The mayor’s office noted that the officer left the force before undergoing a disciplinary trial.
As part of the reforms, an allocation of $2.6 million will be provided to the Office of the Inspector General, which is responsible for investigating NYPD policies and potential misconduct. Additionally, there will be a new system implemented to notify authorities to ensure that disciplinary hearings occur before an officer can retire. There will also be a renewed effort to ensure compliance with state-level reporting requirements concerning police-involved fatalities.
Background and Context
The urgency for these reforms has been amplified by various incidents, including protests stemming from the recent shooting of 28-year-old Oscar Belgal by an ICE officer in the Marble Hill area, which occurred as he was in a vehicle with his five-year-old son. This incident sparked a wave of demonstrations against ICE operations, during which members of the public and political figures criticized the NYPD’s response tactics, particularly the actions of the Strategic Response Group (SRG)—a specialized unit known for its involvement during protests and civil unrest.
Seventeen state legislators, including congressional candidates Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, have called for the disbandment of the SRG, criticizing its deployment against demonstrators as excessive. Chevalier herself recounted experiences of police brutality during these protests, stating, “When I was in Marble Hill last night I saw NYPD officers rapidly escalating violence.”
Calls for Leadership Change
Amidst these discussions of reform, there have been growing calls for the removal of Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who was appointed by Mamdani’s predecessor, Eric Adams. Critics argue that under her leadership, the use of force has continued to escalate, with reports revealing a marked increase from 4,087 incidents in 2016 to 12,348 reported incidents in 2025, despite a general decline in crime rates in the city.
While major crime statistics have shown a decline—New York City has reported the fewest shootings, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history for the early months of the year—progressive leaders maintain that this progress does not negate the need for substantive reforms in police oversight and management.
In response to the backlash, Mamdani has emphasized that the review of the NYPD’s use of force was planned prior to the public outcry following Belgal’s shooting. However, he has not shied away from potential challenges with political implications. Reports suggest that New York State Governor Kathy Hochul may have linked her support of Mamdani’s campaign to the retention of Tisch, a point the mayor has acknowledged with caution, indicating that Hochul’s insistence was more a suggestion than a mandate.
As the review progresses, the mayor’s office is expected to work closely with advocacy groups and community leaders to ensure that these reforms resonate well beyond mere policy changes, fostering a culture of accountability within the NYPD moving forward.
