(NewsNation) — The former New York City Police chief of department says Zohran Mamdani’s rhetoric about the NYPD leaves several questions to be answered.
“He aligns himself with the Democratic Socialists of America,” John Chell told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo in a Wednesday show appearance.
“Their platform is real, real out there in public safety. Do away with prisons and the cops are abolished and cops are bad. So, he aligns with that.”
Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in the city’s mayoral election after his campaign focused on affordability — specifically free transportation, universal child care and a rent freeze for stabilized units.
Zohran Mamdani’s rise: From Queens lawmaker to New York City mayor
The mayor-elect had previously said he supported defunding the police, calling them anti-gay, racist and a threat to public safety. However, in his acceptance speech Tuesday, Mamdani said he wants to work side-by-side with them.
“The speech last night kind of switched gears on us, a different person,” Chell said. “So, that’s why I say your DNA is your DNA.”
“We’re already down cops. He does not want to hire more cops. You’ve got to listen real carefully to what he says.”
Civilian Complaint Review Board will be crucial: Chell
Chell pointed out that Mamdani has made aspirations of keeping the staffing the same for the NYPD; however, Mamdani’s been adamant about the role of the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
“That will be a backbreaker,” Chell said. “You have these young investigators that do not like the police department to begin with, ok?”
Mamdani announces veteran transition team as he makes plans to carry out an ambitious agenda for NYC
“If you put it in their hands, cops will not stay to jeopardize their job, because the police commissioner says, ‘I know you want them terminated.’ No cop over 20 years that goes out, remotely goes out in the street, is going to take that chance for their pension and their family and their lives.”
I’m rooting for Mamdani: Chell
Despite Mamdani’s rhetoric, Chell acknowledged that he will support him because “if he does well, we do well.”
“I’m a New Yorker,” he said. “Like I say, he did a great campaign, great job. He went from 1% to a million voters. Now, the people who voted for him, they’re going to want their free stuff.”
Mamdani has reiterated his intention to keep the city’s current police commissioner, Jessica Tisch.
