New York City Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism over past remarks and policy proposals stating police officers should not respond to domestic violence incidents. The resurfaced comments, made during a 2020 podcast appearance, reflect Mamdani’s broader stance on reallocating responsibilities traditionally held by police to alternative crisis responders.
During a 2020 interview on the Immigrantly podcast, Mamdani challenged the idea of sending armed police to specific emergencies, stating that cases such as “going through domestic violence…would be far better handled by people trained to deal with those specific situations, as opposed to an individual with a gun.”
His remarks are part of a platform that promotes sending crisis workers, rather than law enforcement, to address mental health and domestic incidents. Critics, however, warn that such a shift could place victims and responders at risk. NYPD records show that more than 110,000 domestic violence cases were reported in 2024, with many posing urgent and life-threatening dangers.
Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, directly addressed Mamdani’s position on social media. “Saying police shouldn’t respond to domestic violence isn’t bold, it’s dangerous,” Adams wrote on X. “Don’t you dare come into our neighborhoods, talk down to us, and play savior. We don’t need theory. We need protection. And we know the difference.”
Adams emphasized his experience responding to violent domestic calls and defended the necessity of trained officers in such volatile situations. His administration has concurrently expanded support services for survivors, including Project Home, which helps families in shelters secure permanent housing. Additionally, in 2022, Adams signed two bills creating a housing stability grant program and an online portal to connect survivors with resources.
High-profile incidents also underscored concerns about the dangers of removing police from domestic violence responses. In 2022, Officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora were fatally shot while responding to a domestic disturbance in Harlem. Last January, two NYPD officers were injured in Brooklyn when a suspect with a violent history opened fire during a similar call.
Law enforcement officials and advocacy groups argue that domestic violence situations often escalate quickly, making the presence of trained officers essential for ensuring the safety of both victims and responders.
