Mayor Zohran Mamdani ordered the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to conduct a comprehensive review of its use-of-force policies, the first such review in a decade. NYC Mayor’s Office emphasized that “accountability is a central value of the Mamdani administration, and it must apply to the system as a whole.”
The reform comes after the shooting 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. One of the officers, Salvatore Alongi, was allowed to retire before facing a disciplinary trial.
“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 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.”
A pledge to public safety
Additionally, Mamdani also announced an extra $2.6 million in funding for independent police oversight. “I am thrilled with the Mayor’s announcement that DOI will receive $2.6 million in additional funds for our Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD,” Mamdani said.
Rozario was killed in March 2024 by police officers who responded to a 911 call from his home in Ozone Park. Body-camera footage showed that he was shot dead after he lunged at cops with scissors, despite his mom and brother begging them not to pull the trigger. Police had fired their Tasers at him twice, but Rozario charged at them, the footage shows.
Officers Matthew Cianfrocco and Salvatore Alongi fired their weapons at Rozario, who later died at the hospital. Last December, New York Attorney General Letitia James declined to press criminal charges against the officers, although the department still conducted an internal review. However, on Thursday, Alongi was allowed to retire before his disciplinary trial, outraging Rozario’s family.
In relation to Alongi’s case, Mamdani directed a new notification system to help complete the disciplinary process before an officer retires. “We have an obligation to Win’s family and to every New Yorker who calls for help in a moment of crisis,” Mamdani said. “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.”
Published: Oct 13, 2026 11:28 am