New York City’s mayor-elect has appointed a professor who calls police officers “violence workers” to oversee community safety policy, signaling a radical departure from traditional law enforcement approaches.
Story Snapshot
- Zohran Mamdani appointed an anti-police professor to his community safety committee
- The professor has publicly referred to police officers as “violence workers”
- This appointment signals a dramatic shift away from pro-law enforcement policies
- The move raises questions about NYC’s future approach to public safety
A Troubling Signal for Law and Order
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s appointment choice reveals the ideological direction his administration plans to take on public safety. By selecting a university professor known for anti-police rhetoric to guide community safety policy, Mamdani demonstrates a willingness to embrace radical criminal justice theories that prioritize activist ideology over proven law enforcement methods that have historically kept New Yorkers safe.
The Professor’s Anti-Police Record
The appointed professor’s characterization of police officers as “violence workers” exposes a fundamental misunderstanding of law enforcement’s role in society. This inflammatory language reduces the complex duties of police officers to a single, negative dimension while ignoring their role in protecting communities, responding to emergencies, and maintaining public order. Such rhetoric undermines the legitimacy of law enforcement and creates an adversarial relationship between police and the communities they serve.
Academic environments often foster theoretical approaches to crime and punishment that sound progressive in university settings but prove disastrous when implemented in real-world scenarios. The professor’s appointment suggests Mamdani values ideological purity over practical experience in managing urban crime challenges.
Implications for Public Safety Policy
This appointment foreshadows policy changes that could mirror failed experiments in other progressive cities. When anti-police activists gain influence over safety policy, the results typically include reduced police funding, elimination of effective enforcement strategies, and implementation of social programs that fail to address immediate public safety concerns. These approaches consistently correlate with increased crime rates and decreased quality of life for law-abiding citizens.
🚨 “Kill the Cop in Our Head”: Mamdani Transition Pick Rejects Reform, Calls Policing “Violence Work,” and Advocates for "Pod Mapping"
Zohran Mamdani just appointed Professor Alex Vitale to his community safety transition team.
Vitale says it plainly, “Policing is about… pic.twitter.com/jvwgh3CUt6
— Stu Smith (@thestustustudio) November 25, 2025
The timing of this appointment is particularly concerning given New York City’s ongoing struggles with crime and public disorder. Citizens expect their elected officials to prioritize their safety and security, not to experiment with unproven theories that treat law enforcement as the problem rather than part of the solution.
A Pattern of Progressive Overreach
Mamdani’s choice reflects a broader pattern among progressive politicians who prioritize appeasing activist bases over serving mainstream constituents. This appointment sends a clear message about whose voices will be heard in his administration’s policy-making process. The selection suggests that radical academic theories will take precedence over the practical concerns of working families who depend on effective policing for their safety.
The professor’s appointment also raises questions about the mayor-elect’s commitment to supporting the men and women who risk their lives to protect New Yorkers. Police officers deserve leadership that recognizes their contributions and challenges rather than officials who embrace advisors who view them as instruments of oppression.
