On Friday, May 29th, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the appointment of retired NYPD Lieutenant Edwin Raymond as the city’s new sheriff, marking a leadership change in the Department of Finance’s civil enforcement division. The appointment followed the removal of Sheriff Anthony Miranda from the post.
The mayor’s office said Raymond will assume responsibility for overseeing the Sheriff’s Office, which enforces court orders, executes property seizures, and carries out civil and tax-related enforcement functions. Miranda, who was appointed in 2022 under the previous administration and previously served as a 9/11 first responder and longtime NYPD officer, has been dismissed from the role.
Raymond brings 15 years of experience in the NYPD, where he served in patrol and supervisory roles before retiring in 2023. He also previously worked in the New York State Attorney General’s Office as a social justice liaison and has been publicly associated with police reform advocacy.
Mayor Mamdani praised Raymond’s record and approach to public service. “Edwin Raymond represents the kind of public servant New Yorkers deserve: principled, courageous and deeply committed to justice,” Mamdani said. He added that Raymond’s work reflects a focus on accountability and public trust in government institutions.
Raymond, in his first statement following the appointment, acknowledged his new role and personal background. “I’m grateful to now be part of Mayor Mamdani’s administration as the City’s new Sheriff,” Raymond said. He noted that his upbringing in East Flatbush as the son of Haitian immigrants influenced his understanding of public safety and government responsibility.
The appointment has drawn both support and criticism. Supporters, including public officials who have worked with Raymond in past roles, pointed to his experience in law enforcement and government oversight as assets for the position. Critics, including some former law enforcement figures, have questioned his past public statements on policing and his disciplinary history within the NYPD.
Raymond previously participated in a federal lawsuit alleging discriminatory enforcement practices within the NYPD, which was later dismissed but remains a reference point in ongoing debates about policing practices.
The leadership change signals a shift in oversight of one of the city’s key enforcement agencies, as the Sheriff’s Office continues to manage civil enforcement actions across New York City under the new administration.
