The New York Police Department is facing a major wave of resignations and plunging morale as the city prepares for the incoming mayoral term of Zohran Mamdani.
His progressive reform agenda has unsettled many in the police force, as per local media outlets. In October alone, nearly 245 officers left the department, a roughly 35% increase compared to the same month last year.
Union leaders explained how officers feel undervalued and anxious, citing heavy workloads and unsustainable staffing. They described this as a lack of support from city leadership.
One veteran officer mentioned how the atmosphere was such that they were in trouble. Mamdani has proposed major changes, which include dismantling the Strategic Response Group. This is a key NYPD protest policing unit.
It creates a Department of Community Safety to handle many calls now managed by the cops, particularly mental health and crisis responses.
Officers fear that these reforms will undermine the existing structure and reduce their role in public safety. Some quoted how Mamdani’s past remarks included calling the NYPD racist and anti-queer and a huge threat to public safety. They mentioned how it was a huge disrespect for the force.