CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-us.org 

VOCAL-NY Calls on Mayor-Elect Mamdani To Recommit to Campaign Promises in the Wake of Retaining Jessica Tisch as Police Commissioner

Tisch’s Record at the NYPD On Police Discipline and Criminalization is Not Good 

NEW YORK – In response to news that Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani has retained Jessica Tisch as police commissioner, VOCAL-NY released the following statement attributable to VOCAL-NY Leader D’Juan Collins: 

“During his campaign Zohran Mamdani said he planned to respond to social issues with a new city agency rather than the NYPD and that he would remove final disciplinary authority from the police commissioner. Black and brown New Yorkers who have experienced harm at the hands of the NYPD welcomed these promises.

In her time as NYPD commissioner, Jessica Tisch has used her final decision making authority to protect officers who have done wrong — even killed people — at the expense of everyday New Yorkers. She has also leaned on criminalization to respond to social issues like homelessness and drug use as seen by the massive increase in low level arrests during her tenure.

New Yorkers support the approach offered by the Mayor-elect during his campaign, with the proof seen at the ballot box. We are hopeful that he will continue to support Black and brown communities by staying committed to his campaign positions.

Starting in 2026, Mayor Mamdani must end the criminalization of our communities and remove final disciplinary authority from the police commissioner.”

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