New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ordered the NYPD’s first comprehensive use-of-force review in 10 years, while committing an additional $2.6 million to independent oversight of the department.
The announcement came Monday, days after an officer involved in the fatal shooting of a mentally ill Queens teenager was permitted to retire before facing a departmental disciplinary trial.
“When the government uses force against a New Yorker, the standard for accountability must be at its highest. Every New Yorker deserves to know that force will be used lawfully, carefully and only when necessary,” Hizzoner said in a statement.
Win Rozario, 19, was killed in March 2024 after police responded to a 911 call at his family’s home in Ozone Park, Queens.
Disturbing body-camera footage showed Rozario lunging at officers with scissors after his mother and brother pleaded with police not to shoot. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The officers had deployed Tasers against Rozario twice, but video showed him continuing toward them.
Officers Matthew Cianfrocco and Salvatore Alongi both opened fire. Rozario died from his injuries at the hospital.
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New York Attorney General Letitia James declined to bring criminal charges against the officers last December. The pair remained subject to an internal NYPD review.
But one of the officers involved in Rozario’s death was allowed to retire Thursday before the disciplinary case could go to trial, a decision that angered the teenager’s family.
“We have an obligation to Win’s family and to every New Yorker who calls for help in a moment of crisis,” Mamdani said.
“This review is about making sure our policies reflect that responsibility, that our officers have the guidance and training they need and that New Yorkers and their families can trust their city will treat them with care and dignity.”
Mamdani also said his administration would provide the NYPD’s Office of the Inspector General with an additional $2.6 million.
The increase will triple the office’s existing staff.
The OIG-NYPD operates independently from the department, overseeing the NYPD and reviewing its policies and operations.
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