NYC Mayor Wants to Disband NYPD's Controversial Response Group

Mamdani says Strategic Response Group is too militaristic and should be decoupled from counterterrorism duties.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:31pm

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he believes the city should disband the NYPD's Strategic Response Group, a controversial unit that responds to citywide protests. Mamdani argues the SRG is too militaristic and its counterterrorism responsibilities should be separated from police response to First Amendment exercises.

Why it matters

The SRG has faced accusations of using excessive force and unlawful tactics, especially during the 2020 George Floyd protests. Disbanding the unit could be a significant police reform, but would also raise questions about how the NYPD responds to large-scale demonstrations and civil unrest.

The details

The SRG, according to the NYPD, "responds to citywide mobilizations, civil disorders, and major events with highly trained personnel and specialized equipment." However, the unit has been criticized as too violent and militaristic, especially in its crowd control tactics. In 2020, the SRG was accused of unlawfully detaining over 100 protesters, leading to a legal settlement in 2023.

  • In 2023, the City Council's Public Safety Committee held a hearing about the SRG, but the unit did not attend, citing ongoing litigation.
  • On Tuesday, the SRG was part of the NYPD's response to a protest against the Trump administration's immigration policies at a Tribeca hotel.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who believes the NYPD's Strategic Response Group should be disbanded.

NYPD Strategic Response Group

A controversial NYPD unit that responds to citywide protests and has faced accusations of using excessive force and unlawful tactics.

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What they’re saying

“I continue to believe we need to disband the SRG, and I'm currently in conversations with the police commissioner in ways we can do so that are operational.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (nbcnewyork.com)

“The SRG is comprised of highly trained, well-vetted and professional police officers. These officers are called upon in some of the most stressful, dangerous and chaotic situations, such as the protests and riots that occurred during the summer of 2020.”

— NYPD (nbcnewyork.com)

What’s next

The mayor is in discussions with the police commissioner about how to disband the Strategic Response Group, though the NYPD has defended the unit's role in responding to large-scale protests and civil unrest.

The takeaway

The debate over the NYPD's Strategic Response Group highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement's need to maintain public order and concerns about the use of overly militaristic tactics, especially during protests and demonstrations protected by the First Amendment.