Mamdani Plans to Disband NYPD Protest Response Unit

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is preparing to announce a proposal to dissolve the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group, a unit that responds to protests, civil disorders and major events. The proposal could be formalized through an executive order, and its details had not been finalized as of November 12. Mamdani’s spokesperson said the administration intends to disband the unit and distinguish protest policing from counterterrorism, with more information to come.

The NYPD describes the SRG as an important resource at events including parades and demonstrations. It also deploys officers to places needing more police presence and mobilizes for incidents such as shootings and bank robberies. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a March budget hearing that the unit is generally sent to protests involving criminal activity, rather than peaceful demonstrations. In 2025, the department facilitated 4,255 protests, with the SRG available at 245 of them.

Mamdani has argued that counterterrorism and responses to people exercising First Amendment rights should be handled separately. One option under consideration would replace the SRG with a civilian protest-response unit focused on de-escalation, supported by NYPD officers nearby who could make arrests if needed. City Hall has also considered placing the civilian unit within the mayor’s Office of Community Safety. Former Chief of Department John Chell defended the SRG, citing its role in managing large demonstrations. The administration says it will share further details soon.

Mamdani Moves to Separate Protest Safety From Counterterrorism

Zohran Mamdani is moving to fulfill his promise to disband the NYPD unit that has combined protest response with counterterrorism. The New York City mayor says those duties should be separated, and his spokesperson says the administration intends to dissolve the Strategic Response Group. The details were still being developed as of November 12.

A proposed civilian unit could lead protest responses with a focus on de-escalation, while NYPD officers remain nearby and available to make arrests if needed. City Hall has considered placing the unit in the Office of Community Safety. The approach would distinguish public safety at demonstrations from the work of counterterrorism, rather than treating both as a single mission.

The SRG is available for only a fraction of the city’s demonstrations: the NYPD facilitated 4,255 protests in 2025, and the unit was available at 245. Commissioner Jessica Tisch said it is generally deployed when protests involve criminal activity. The department also calls it an important resource at major events and for incidents including shootings and bank robberies. Mamdani’s plan puts the question of how protest policing should work at the center of the coming changes; the administration says it will provide more details soon.

Mamdani’s Plan Puts NYPD Protest Response Unit on the Chopping Block

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is preparing to dismantle an NYPD unit that the department describes as an important resource at parades, protests and other major events. The Strategic Response Group also mobilizes for incidents such as shootings and bank robberies. The plan, which was not finalized as of November 12, could replace the group’s protest role with a civilian unit.

That unit could focus on de-escalation, with NYPD officers assembled nearby and able to make arrests if needed. City Hall has considered putting it under the mayor’s Office of Community Safety. Mamdani says counterterrorism should be separated from police responses to people exercising First Amendment rights, while the proposal raises questions about how the unit’s current functions would be covered.

The SRG was available at 245 of the 4,255 protests the NYPD facilitated in 2025. Commissioner Jessica Tisch said it is generally deployed at demonstrations involving criminal activity, not peaceful protests. Former Chief of Department John Chell defended the unit, pointing to its role in managing large demonstrations and arguing that disbanding it would be unwise. Mamdani’s spokesperson says the administration will disband the group and distinguish protest policing from counterterrorism, with further details to come.