Democratic Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani just lit a fuse under New York City’s policing debate—and NYPD leadership is firing back.
According to Breitbart, NYPD Chief of Department John Chell pushed back hard against Mamdani’s call to dismantle the Strategic Response Group (SRG), a specialized unit tasked with monitoring and managing protests. Chell called the suggestion “foolish” and said Mamdani “doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
The clash centers around the future of the SRG, which has become a lightning rod in the city’s policing conversation. Mamdani, a progressive lawmaker now running for mayor, has advocated for abolishing the unit, claiming it stifles civil liberties and fosters a militarized police presence. Chell, speaking on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria, defended the SRG as a necessary force keeping order during volatile protests.
Chell said the NYPD has handled more than 6,000 protests since the Hamas attacks on October 7, many tied to international and domestic political unrest. He credited the SRG’s presence for preventing violence or chaos during large-scale demonstrations.
“Our SRG [is] highly trained, highly professional men and women who hold the line,” Chell stated. “In the last two years of protests, we’ve had no major incidents in the city.”
He emphasized the recent “No Kings” protest, where he claimed 500 demonstrators out of a crowd of 75,000 had intentions to “tear our city apart.” According to Chell, the SRG intervened and kept things under control without resorting to excessive force or major arrests.
Mamdani’s proposal stems from long-standing criticism of the SRG’s tactics, particularly during Black Lives Matter protests and more recent pro-Palestinian marches. Activists and civil rights groups argue that the SRG disproportionately targets political dissent and escalates tensions.
Mamdani has not walked back his remarks. Instead, he doubled down in campaign speeches and interviews, calling the SRG a “tool of suppression” and accusing it of intimidating peaceful demonstrators.
Progressive coalitions backing Mamdani have echoed his concerns. Several have demanded that funds allocated to the SRG be redirected to community outreach and public housing. These groups argue that public safety should be reimagined through social investment rather than aggressive policing.
Chell’s remarks come amid a larger political battle that could shape the 2025 mayoral election. Mamdani’s progressive platform, including his stance on policing, sets him apart from more moderate Democratic rivals.
“This is not just about policing,” a campaign strategist close to Mamdani told local reporters. “It’s about who gets to define safety in New York—communities or command centers.”
Meanwhile, law enforcement unions and conservative leaders have rallied behind Chell’s defense of the SRG. Many are calling Mamdani’s position a dangerous gamble that could erode the NYPD’s ability to respond to sudden unrest or politically charged gatherings.
During the Wednesday broadcast, Chell didn’t hold back in characterizing Mamdani’s proposal as uninformed and reckless. “To say you’re going to disband that kind of success in [a] unit, quite frankly, is foolish,” Chell said. “It’s someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.”
He warned that removing the SRG could leave a dangerous vacuum in the city’s ability to manage mass protests safely. The NYPD, he said, has been under intense public scrutiny, yet units like the SRG have continued to operate with restraint and professionalism.
Chell's comments reflect frustration within the department as political pressure mounts and reform proposals gain traction ahead of the election season. He stressed that decision-makers should understand what these units do before eliminating them.
