Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Avoids Commitment on NYPD Commissioner Retention

Zohran Mamdani, a leading contender in the mayoral race, declined to promise whether he would keep NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in his administration if elected. Despite praising her efforts to combat corruption and noting the department’s progress in reducing citywide crime, Mamdani stopped short of affirming her continued leadership.

During a recent event, Mamdani expressed appreciation for Tisch’s swift actions but emphasized that he is still in the campaign phase and not ready to make definitive staffing decisions. “I have great respect for her work, but it’s too early to commit,” he stated. At the event, he also defended his limited attendance at police funerals, which has drawn criticism from Mayor Eric Adams, pointing out that he focused on his district’s issues as a state legislator.

Recent statistics highlight the department’s success, with shootings plummeting to record lows this year under Tisch’s leadership. In the first seven months of 2025, there were 412 shooting incidents involving 489 victims, surpassing previous lows set in 2017 and 2018.

While Mamdani has gained recognition for his recent victories—having defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in June—some noted that he missed attending several police funerals during his tenure in Albany, including for officers slain in the line of duty, such as NYPD veteran Didarul Islam.

In light of these events, Mamdani reiterated his commitment to public safety, expressing hope that no further officers or civilians would be harmed during his campaign or potential term as mayor. He emphasized the importance of unity across all boroughs in addressing criminal violence and vowed to focus on safeguarding the city’s residents.