Predatory Corps Can Be Sued, Fall Festivals At Parks, Closing Rikers Island, Faster Payments For Non-Profits, NYC Mental Health Connect, NYPD Reforms, Other Updates:  Mayor Mamdani

Predatory Corps Can Be Sued, Fall Festivals At Parks, Closing Rikers Island, Fast Buses In Brooklyn, October 7th, Faster Payments For Non-Profits, Queens Lost Batallion Hall, NYC Mental Health Connect, NYPD Reforms:  Mayor Mamdani

Editor’s note: See below for our video of the Mayor’s newest municipal jobs related announcement, regarding the transformation of the new NYC Jobs Center.  And return to this article for the Mayor’s historic settlement with a delivery company that will be distributed to active workers.  

Mayor Mamdani to Introduce POWER Act Allowing New Yorkers to Sue Predatory Corporations for Unfair Business Practices  

First-in-the-nation bill would make New York City’s consumer and worker protections the strongest in the country 

Bill would allow workers, consumers, small businesses, and nonprofits to sue predatory corporations rather than relying on government agencies alone     

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine announced the planned introduction of the POWER (People and Organizations Winning Economic Relief) Act, legislation that would make New York City’s consumer and worker protection laws the strongest in the country. The POWER Act, sponsored by Chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection Harvey Epstein, would create a municipal private right of action, bringing sweeping changes to the way workers, consumers, tenants, small businesses, and nonprofits can seek relief from predatory business practices.

The bill would, among other things:

• Allow tenant unions to sue landlords for deceptive trade practices;
• Allow taxi drivers to sue financing companies over unconscionable loan terms;
• Allow consumers scammed by predatory for-profit schools to seek loan relief; and
• Allow nonprofits to bring claims on behalf of themselves, their members, and the public.

“New York City is a working-class city. Yet for far too long we’ve trailed the country when it comes to giving working people the power to take on corporations that violate their rights and try to cheat them,” said Mayor Mamdani. “That’s why we are excited to introduce the POWER Act, which will finally give New Yorkers and the organizations who represent them a legal pathway to seek recourse for unfair business practices and make our city a national model for consumer, worker, tenant, and small business protection. The POWER Act will enable tenant unions to take landlords to court and win back wrongfully withheld security deposits. It will allow local small businesses who face competition from corporate giants to file suit for unfair business practices. It will empower seniors who lose hundreds of millions of dollars every year through targeted scams to get the justice they are owed. Our administration will not sit back while New Yorkers are taken advantage of. The POWER Act is about giving New Yorkers their rights back and building a more just economy for working people.”

The POWER Act will be introduced on behalf of the Mayor by Chair Epstein at the next stated City Council meeting on October 8th.

Mayor Mamdani will also introduce two additional consumer protection bills. The Truth in Pricing Act simplifies the City’s pricing display rules, cutting compliance costs for businesses while keeping prices transparent for shoppers. A separate amendment to the City’s Consumer Protection Law removes a lengthy rulemaking requirement, letting DCWP act faster against unconscionable business practices.

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“The Mamdani administration came into office with a commitment to return power to the working-class people of this city. With this legislation, we will do exactly that,” said Deputy Mayor Su. “Often, corporate practices that steal time and money from workers and consumers are designed to push the limit of prohibited practices. We will equip New Yorkers with new tools to take on predatory companies, bad landlords, scammers, and other actors who exploit them and build not only an economy but a city that works for working people.”

“The Our POWER Act represents one of the single greatest expansions of consumer and worker rights in New York City history, putting power directly in the hands of New Yorkers to secure their own economic justice,” said DCWP Commissioner Levine. “Establishing a broad private right of action has never been more urgent, especially as the federal government retreats from protecting working people. I am grateful to the advocates who have long called for this critical right, and I look forward to working with Mayor Mamdani and the City Council to swiftly pass this bill.”

“We’re using every tool at our disposal to empower tenants and stand up to unscrupulous landlords. The POWER Act would give tenants a stronger basis to fight for a fairer city in court, taking on bad actors and unfair practices across the five boroughs,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

“The POWER Act will give everyday New Yorkers the direct legal authority to fight back when bad actors take advantage of them,” said Council Member Harvey Epstein. “As the federal government continues to roll back workplace protections and labor policies, I am proud to be introducing legislation that will expand the power of the Consumer Protection Law and create a more swift path to justice for workers, small businesses, and unions alike. I’m grateful to be working alongside the Mayor, DCWP, and my colleagues to fortify consumer and workers’ justice in our city.”

“I’m proud to help lead the legislative effort with Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Levine to ensure our consumer protection laws set the national standard,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “Too often, the most powerful private actors have escaped accountability for unconscionable business practices, and it’s time for the City of New York to take robust measures to rein them in. The days of New Yorkers being taken advantage of by businesses that bet you’re too busy to fight back are nearing an end. I look forward to passing this bill to give the city the rightful power to hold them accountable and make life a lot easier.”

“The Power Act will put power back in the hands of consumers, workers and small businesses at a time when the federal government has turned its back on them. Companies that prey on cash strapped New Yorkers, offering risky loan products designed to trap restaurant owners, drivers, and workers in cycles of debt, will face legal consequences,” said Lorelei Salas, Senior Fellow Century Foundation and Protect Borrowers and former DCWP commissioner. “According to a report by The Century Foundation and Protect Borrowers, New York City residents have seen their debt soar in the last few years and this legislation will help to protect their pockets. I commend Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Levine and Chair Epstein for their vision.”

“Consumers, homeowners, workers, and small businesses in NYC deserve the same fundamental protections against predatory conduct that residents of every other state already enjoy, and that’s what the POWER Act promises,” said Protect Borrowers legal director Winston Berkman-Breen. “We are in a raging affordability crisis, exacerbated by federal agencies’ refusal to enforce existing protections. The POWER Act offers relief and fills this accountability gap by mirroring these protections at the local level. We applaud the entire City government, from the Council to the Mayor’s Office to DCWP, for coming together to take this powerful but common-sense step to guarantee fairness for New Yorkers.”

The POWER Act
Under current New York consumer protection laws, individuals can only sue over deception — a narrow slice of unlawful business conduct. The POWER Act closes that gap, letting individuals, workers, and small businesses sue over unfair methods of competition and unfair, deceptive, abusive, or unlawful practices. Today, that gap lets bad actors cheat New Yorkers — especially small businesses — with little consequence.

New York State laws let individuals sue over deceptive practices, but does not allow them to sue over unfair or abusive ones. The POWER Act would allow tenants, workers, small businesses, and nonprofits to take companies to court over unfair and abusive practices such as overcharging rent.

Truth in Pricing Act
New York City’s price display rules currently vary by store size and product type, creating confusion for businesses and consumers alike. The Truth in Pricing Act, sponsored by Chair Epstein and Council member Carmen De La Rosa, simplifies this: business owners can choose to display prices on the item or on the shelf. It lowers compliance costs while preserving price transparency and checkout accuracy.

Consumer Protection Law Amendment
DCWP currently cannot challenge unconscionable business practices without first completing a lengthy rulemaking process. This amendment, sponsored by Council Member Chi Ossé, removes that requirement, letting DCWP respond quickly to serious misconduct and aligning City law with state and federal consumer protections, including the Federal Trade Commission Act.

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani joins Prime Minister Rob Jetten of the Netherlands for a discussion with LGBTQ+ youth at the The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Manhattan on Thursday, September 24,, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Mamdani Announces Fall Festivals and Halloween Events at Parks and Recreation Centers Across all Five Boroughs 

New Yorkers of all ages can enjoy free pumpkin patches, haunted houses, arts and crafts, games, music, recreation activities and more throughout October    

Image Credit – Mayor’s Office

Image Credit – Mayor’s Office

Mayor Mamdani participates in a fireside chat at Climate Desk Live: AI, Energy, and Our Fight for Democracy and a Healthy, Affordable Future. Tishman Auditorium, Manhattan. Thursday, September 24, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Mayor Mamdani Appoints Christopher Watler as Chair of the Board of Correction  

Watler has dedicated his career to fighting for a more equitable criminal legal system and expanding pathways to successful reentry 

As Chair, Walter will advance the administration’s commitment to improving conditions for people in custody while closing Rikers Island    

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced the appointment of Christopher Watler as Chair of the Board of Correction (BOC), the independent body responsible for overseeing the City’s jail system. Watler will lead the Board as the Mamdani administration works to improve conditions for people in custody and the staff who serve them, strengthen accountability across the jail system and finally close Rikers Island.

Interim Chair Felipe Franco will continue serving as a member of the BOC.

Watler has dedicated his career to fighting for a more equitable criminal legal system. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), where he led efforts to connect people returning from incarceration with employment opportunities and reentry services.

The BOC is charged with establishing and ensuring compliance with minimum standards governing conditions of confinement, correctional health and mental health care in all City correctional facilities.

“Christopher Watler has spent his career helping New Yorkers navigate a criminal legal system that too often fails to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve. He understands that community safety and justice go hand in hand, and that means improving conditions for people in custody, supporting the staff who care for them and finally closing Rikers Island. I am confident he will lead the Board of Correction with integrity and an unwavering commitment to that work,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “I also want to thank Felipe Franco for his leadership during this period of transition. Because of his service, the Board continued its essential work without interruption.”

“I am honored by this appointment and deeply grateful to the Mayor for entrusting me with this position,” said Christopher Watler, incoming Chair of the Board of Correction. “For too long, the people under care in our jails have been denied the dignity, safety and justice that the law promises and our conscience demands.  This great city is my home and the people incarcerated in our jails are our neighbors, sons and daughters. Like every New Yorker, they deserve the same access to justice, health care, jobs and housing that we all want. In this position, I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, the dedicated BOC staff, NYC DOCs leadership, union leaders, advocates, City Council, the Correctional Health Services Team, Remediation Manager, Federal Monitor and other partners to ensure the safety and humane treatment of the people held in the city’s care and the safety of our staff and partners working in the jails.”

“We have set this agency on a course to improve conditions for all who live and work in our jails and the Board of Correction is a vital partner in fulfilling that mission,” said New York City Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards. “Chair Watler brings a wealth of experience that makes him exceptionally well-suited for this role, and we look forward to working with him.”

“The Board of Correction is critical to our shared goal of oversight and reform in New York City’s jails.” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “The task ahead is immense, and I look forward to working with incoming Chair Watler to faithfully implement reforms like Local Law 42, expand transparency and accountability, and protect people on both sides of the bars as we reject failing practices and build systems that deliver justice and progress.” 

About Christopher Watler:

Christopher Watler is a nonprofit leader who has dedicated his career to fighting for a more equitable criminal legal system.

As Executive Vice President of CEO, Watler oversees efforts to build and promote reentry and diversion programs in more than 30 cities across the country. He previously served as Executive Director of CEO’s New York State program, where he led efforts to connect recently incarcerated New Yorkers with job opportunities and supportive services.

Before joining CEO, Watler spent more than two decades at the Center for Justice Innovation, where he developed reentry and diversion programs for young people and adults, as well as eviction prevention programs for housing court litigants.

Watler is a graduate of the State University of New York at Purchase, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science, and John Jay College, where he received a master’s degree in public administration. A native New Yorker and the proud son of Jamaican and Honduran immigrants, Watler lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant with his family.

“Chris’ appointment signals an opportunity to strengthen accountability, protect human dignity, and give communities most affected by incarceration a meaningful role in shaping the future of corrections in New York City. His willingness to listen, build relationships, and work alongside community organizations is essential to earning trust and advancing change,” said Andre Ward, Executive Director Institute for Justice and Opportunity, John Jay College. “At John Jay’s Institute for Justice and Opportunity, we know that safer communities require access to education, meaningful employment, housing, and support. At this moment, the Board of Correction needs leadership that can bring people together while remaining firm about the rights and safety of people held at Rikers. Chris brings the collaborative approach this work demands, and we look forward to working with him to turn those shared priorities into tangible improvements for justice impacted New Yorkers.”

Mayor Mamdani attends Rabbi Saul Perlstein’s Sukkah Hop in Brooklyn. Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

“The appointment of Chris Watler as the Chair of the New York City Board of Corrections is an inspired choice by Mayor Mamdani. At a moment when the City has committed to closing Rikers Island, shrinking the size of the jail system, improving conditions for those incarcerated as well as the staff who work in these facilities and, in a few years, opening smaller and more modern borough based jails, the oversight from the Board of Corrections has never been more important and meaningful as it is right now,” said Michael Jacobson, Director of CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance. “Chris has spent his entire professional career, whether in his current role of Executive Vice President of the Center for Employment Opportunities where he has served for over a decade or his varied experience at the Center for Justice Innovation for over two decades, improving our systems of justice and the lives of those impacted by those systems. Chris has been one of New York City’s leaders in creating and scaling reentry programs, neighborhood-based community justice and mediation centers, and specialized courts that are designed to help and divert young people out of the criminal justice system. In all those jobs Chris has worked with the courts, the New York State prison and parole agencies and the New York City Department of Corrections. He is intimately familiar with how these systems operate, both formally and informally-knowledge that will serve him well as the Chair of this oversight and investigations agency whose mission is to help create and support safer, fairer, smaller, and more humane NYC jails. The entirety of Chris’s professional career and the unwavering respect he has from those he has helped as well as from community leaders, judges, advocates, government, nonprofit and elected officials all combine to make him the ideal choice for this important job especially at this historical moment.”

“I’m pleased to see the appointment of Chris Watler as Chair of the NYC Board of Corrections,” said Jonathan McLean, Chief Executive Officer of CASES. “Chris is a leader in work to shrink our criminal legal system and ensure accountability for all system actors. His skill at building partnerships and leading collaboratively makes him a strong choice for this role.”

“The Interfaith Center of New York welcomes the appointment of Chris Watler as Chair of the NYC Board of Corrections. It is good news for all New Yorkers: for the faith-based and community organizers who have labored for decades to support returning citizens;  for the tireless advocates who have sought a safer, more equitable city that includes the closing of Rikers Island and opening of Borough Based Jails and mental health facilities;  and for the justice-impacted individuals and their families for whom successful reentry into the community has been far too difficult,” said Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer Executive Director, The Interfaith Center of New York. “His whole career, Chris has fought for meaningful employment, training, and wraparound supports for people returning home from incarceration. His appointment as Chair of the Board of Corrections is a hopeful sign for a more transparent, humane, and fair corrections system and a new day in the City of New York.”

“Legal Action Center applauds the appointment of Christopher Walter as Chair of the Board of Correction. Chris has been a tremendous advocate for holistic and just reentry for New Yorkers returning from incarceration. His tireless commitment to making New York a safer city by investing in human potential and ensuring that people with conviction histories have the resources they need to find and retain meaningful employment will be a powerful asset as he provides oversight of the conditions in our city jails. We look forward to working with Chris in this new role and to advancing a safer, more just New York together,” said Megan French- Marcelin, Vice President of New York State Policy at the Legal Action Center. 

Mayor Mamdani participates in a fireside chat at Climate Desk Live: AI, Energy, and Our Fight for Democracy and a Healthy, Affordable Future. Tishman Auditorium, Manhattan. Thursday, September 24, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced the start of work on a redesign of Bay Parkway and Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn that will speed up bus service and improve street safety for 35,000 daily riders along the project corridor as well as the 85,00 daily riders across each route using the corridor.

The project includes a redesign of Bay Parkway from Avenue J to Shore Parkway and Cropsey Avenue from Bay Parkway to 26th Avenue, featuring new offset and curbside bus lanes as well as other safety enhancements. The new bus lanes will improve service for riders on the B6 and B82, the number one and fourth busiest routes in Brooklyn, respectively, as well as the X28 and X38. Bus speeds are currently as low as 3 miles per hour on Bay Parkway.

Both corridors were identified for improvements as part of Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service, Mayor Mamdani’s historic partnership with Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make bus service faster and more reliable across 175 bus routes, nearly 75% of all bus routes in the city.

Bay Parkway and Cropsey Avenue are also Vision Zero priority corridors, meaning that they have among the highest rates of pedestrian injuries in Brooklyn. Between 2021 and 2025, four people were killed in traffic crashes on these streets — including two in 2025 — and another 26 were seriously injured.

“We’re redesigning Bay Parkway and Cropsey Avenue with bus lanes and pedestrian improvements because Southern Brooklyn deserves fast buses, reliable service and safer streets.” said Mayor Mamdani. “New Yorkers don’t have time to waste and neither does our administration. We’re getting right to work building a public transit system that New Yorkers deserve.”

“Recently, buses have achieved speeds faster than seen in years, which shows the bus revolution promised by Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani is well underway,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Next stop: Bay Parkway, where this new bus priority corridor is going to transform the customer experience for 35,000 more daily riders.”

“Bus riders commuting between Midwood, Bensonhurst and Bath Beach deserve a fast and dignified commute, and we’re ready to help improve safety for everyone using the street,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “This redesign will increase bus speeds and reliability on two of Brooklyn’s busiest bus routes while better organizing traffic on two of the highest-crash corridors in the borough.”

NYC DOT will add new pedestrian improvements along the routes like upgraded pedestrian ramps as well as 18 new median islands, painted median extensions and painted curb extensions at select intersections. The agency will add new left turn lanes at 14 intersections with high left turn demand and install left turn restrictions at most other intersections on Bay Parkway — addressing a leading cause of fatalities and injuries citywide.

In a NYC DOT study, dedicated left turn lanes correlated with a 15% decrease in left turn pedestrian and cyclist injuries. New left turn restrictions are associated with a 40% decrease in pedestrian and bike injuries.

Offset bus lanes will be installed along the corridor wherever possible. Curbside bus lanes will be used when space is needed to include a dedicated left turn lane. The project will also update curb regulations to support parking on the corridor, including by retiming existing meters, adding new metered parking around the corner from busy blocks and adding Neighborhood Loading Zones and Truck Loading Zones for drop-offs, pick-ups and deliveries.

In 2026, the Mamdani administration has advanced major projects to speed up bus service across all five boroughs, including:

• The Bronx: Fordham Road, 161st Street and Tremont Avenue
• Manhattan: 34th Street, 116th Street, Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
• Brooklyn: Marcy Avenue, Flatbush Avenue, Utica Avenue, Church Avenue and Linden Boulevard
• Staten Island: Victory Boulevard
• Queens: Broadway

Together, these projects are part of the administration’s broader effort to make bus service faster, more reliable and safer for millions of New Yorkers who rely on it every day. 

Mayor Mamdani hosts an international business roundtable with Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su and President and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation Anthony Shorris. City Hall. Thursday, September 24, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kenny Minaya and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei officially launched the Jobs NYC Center at 2 Lafayette Street, a new hub connecting New Yorkers to careers in public service on Monday,, September 28, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

 

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su host the first meeting of the Business Advisory Council at Gracie Mansion. Wendesday, September 30, 2026. Kara McCurdy. Mayoral Photography Office.

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kenny Minaya and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei officially launched the Jobs NYC Center at 2 Lafayette Street, a new hub connecting New Yorkers to careers in public service on Monday,, September 28, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Mamdani participates in a food distribution at a food pantry in Queens. Monday, September 28, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Mayor Mamdani Launches NYC Mental Health Connect, Helping New Yorkers Find and Access Local Mental Health Services  

NEW YORK — In advance of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the New York City Health Department launched NYC Mental Health Connect, a new website to help New Yorkers find mental health and substance use services that meet their needs. Funded through the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), Mental Health Connect allows New Yorkers to explore behavioral health services from over 600 providers based on type of service, appointment availability, ages served, languages spoken, and insurance types accepted — all through a brief questionnaire.

“Finding an accessible, affordable mental health provider should be simple, but for too many, the difficulty of finding care can prevent them from seeking the help they need,” said Mayor Mamdani. “With NYC Mental Health Connect, our administration is providing New Yorkers with the tools to find local or virtual services quickly, and we are removing unnecessary obstacles that have prevented so many in need from accessing critical, and often lifesaving, mental health care.”

“Access to affordable, high-quality mental health care should only be a few clicks away – and with NYC Mental Health Connect, now it is,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “This incredible resource allows users to easily locate care in their communities, their living rooms, or online and makes sure that anyone seeking vital, life-changing mental healthcare will find it without difficulty.”

“Too many of our neighbors don’t use mental health support because they don’t know where to go,” said New York City Health Commissioner Alister F. Martin. “With the launch of Mental Health Connect, we’re making it easier than ever to find and access mental health services that meet the needs of all New Yorkers.”

“With countless services and hundreds of providers, New York City hosts a complete continuum of care that is available anyone in need of behavioral health support,” said OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “Mental Health Connect offers and easy-to-use website that will help city residents navigate these services and find the ones best suited for their needs. With support from Governor Hochul, OMH is a proud partner in funding and developing this new website, which will help New Yorkers find the services they need when they need them.”

A 2024 report found that 24% of New York City teens surveyed said they needed or wanted mental health care but did not know where to get it. Nearly half of adults who said they struggled to function due to their mental health reported an unmet need for mental health treatment, and more than 40% of those adults reported not knowing who to contact or where to go as a barrier to treatment.

By completing a brief questionnaire, NYC Mental Health Connect helps anyone seeking services in New York City explore and learn about options for care, how soon they can access that care, and how to connect with a provider. Providers can also use NYC Mental Health Connect to identify additional services to support their clients.

NYC Mental Health Connect includes State-licensed programs and City-contracted services that New Yorker can access at home or virtually and the website features a number of affordable service options across the behavioral health system, including:

• Outpatient clinics serving adults, youth, and families
• Rehabilitation services
• Support services including peer support, employment, education, and care coordination
• Social programs for housing, food security, and legal assistance
• Crisis services
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities services

OMH provided $5 million in one-time funding to support the development and launch of NYC Mental Health Connect. The city will maintain the website into the future, ensuring that it is updated regularly to include the latest information on providers accepting referrals.

For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available 24/7 by dialing 988.

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani partakes in a sukkah hop in Brooklyn as New Yorkers celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Mamdani Directs First Comprehensive Review of NYPD Use of Force in a Decade, Announces New Accountability Reforms   

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today directed the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to conduct a comprehensive review of its use-of-force policies and practices, the first such review in a decade. The review will take place over the coming months and include a robust community engagement process.

Mayor Mamdani also announced a package of reforms to strengthen accountability when police officers are accused of serious misconduct, including measures to facilitate the completion of the disciplinary process before an officer retires.

The reforms follow the retirement of one of the officers facing disciplinary charges for the tragic death of Win Rozario, a 19-year-old New Yorker who was shot and killed by NYPD officers during a mental health crisis in March 2024. That officer retired before a disciplinary trial could take place.

“When the government uses force against a New Yorker, the standard for accountability must be at its highest. Every New Yorker deserves to know that force will be used lawfully, carefully and only when necessary,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We have an obligation to Win’s family and to every New Yorker who calls for help in a moment of crisis. This review is about making sure our policies reflect that responsibility, that our officers have the guidance and training they need and that New Yorkers and their families can trust their city will treat them with care and dignity.”

In addition to the use-of-force review, the Mamdani administration is taking the following steps:   

• Strengthen independent oversight: The Mamdani administration will increase funding for the Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD (OIG-NYPD) by $2.6 million. The additional funding will restore staffing to a historic peak, tripling the office’s current headcount and empower the OIG to investigate policies and practices that undermine accountability for police misconduct. 
• Strengthen retirement notifications: The NYPD has implemented a new notification system to facilitate the completion of the disciplinary process before an officer retires. 
• Close the door to rehiring elsewhere in New York state: The NYPD will formalize its pre-existing practice of notifying the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and submitting personnel information for decertification when an officer retires with pending disciplinary charges. This will help prevent officers who leave the NYPD while facing serious disciplinary charges from avoiding scrutiny by being hired by another law enforcement agency in New York state. 
• Ensure compliance with the STAT Act: The NYPD will remain in full and timely compliance with its legal obligation to report police-involved death data to the State DCJS.  
• Formalize information sharing after critical incidents: The NYPD will standardize and formalize its process for sharing information with New Yorkers following a critical incident, as well as with the families of individuals killed or seriously injured in critical incidents. This will include releasing NYPD Force Investigation Division final reports to families or their representatives who would like them.  

Together, these reforms are intended to ensure that serious allegations are investigated, disciplinary cases are resolved, the public can understand how the City responds when use of force results in serious death or injury and independent oversight has the necessary resources to do its important work.

Accountability is a central value of the Mamdani administration, and it must apply to the system as a whole. The administration will continue reviewing policies and practices.  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani makes a housing announcement at the NYCHA’s Nostrand Houses in Brooklyn on Wednesday , September 30, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Banner Image:  Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani partakes in a sukkah hop in Brooklyn as New Yorkers celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Image Credit – Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office