Mamdani to announce ‘rebrand’ of NYPD protest response unit after lefty attacks: sources

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to announce a restructuring and renaming of the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group (SRG), amid pressure from supporters to fulfil his campaign pledge to disband it. The plan separates the unit’s protest response duties from its counterterrorism work, though sources quoted in the article say the change may have little practical effect.

The 500-strong unit is expected to retain its role in responding to active shooters and potential mass-casualty or terrorism incidents. The administration also plans to recruit civilian staff to help de-escalate protests alongside Community Affairs officers, but they have not yet been hired or trained; one source said this could take at least a year. Mamdani is also expected to announce bans on kettling and tear gas, which the article says are already prohibited in the NYPD patrol guide. The announcement is not expected to take the form of an executive order.