New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to dissolve the NYPD’s roughly 600-officer Strategic Response Group and separate protest-response operations from counterterrorism duties, Bloomberg reported, citing a spokesman. An announcement could come as soon as next week, a person familiar with the matter told the outlet.
The move would fulfill a campaign pledge. Mamdani has called for greater emphasis on de-escalation and First Amendment protections, citing misconduct complaints involving the unit. Civil-rights advocates have accused SRG officers of excessive force during protests.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has supported retaining the unit while expressing openness to reforms. The plan has not yet been formally announced, and the report does not specify when dissolution would take effect or how officers and responsibilities would be reassigned.