Former NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly has offered his perspective on the shifting stance of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani regarding police funding. During an interview on ‘The Story,’ Kelly discussed the implications of Mamdani’s decision to backtrack on his initial ‘defund the police’ pledge, which had been a key component of his campaign platform.
Kelly, who served as NYPD commissioner from 2010 to 2014, expressed his views on how Mamdani’s pivot could affect the city’s approach to public safety. He emphasized the importance of balancing police reform with maintaining community trust and safety. The discussion also touched on the challenges of implementing police reform without compromising the effectiveness of law enforcement.
Mamdani, a Brooklyn-based city council member, initially pledged to significantly reduce funding for the NYPD, a stance that drew both support and criticism from various community groups. However, he later modified his position to focus on reallocating resources rather than outright defunding the department. Kelly’s comments provide insight into how such changes might be perceived within the context of New York’s political and public safety landscape.