NY police union slams Mamdani for condemning officers based on violent arrest clip: 'Rushing to judgment'

A newly surfaced video showing a violent arrest inside a Brooklyn liquor store has ignited controversy in New York City, drawing a sharp rebuke from Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The mayor received backlash to his comments from police union leadership. 

The footage, which quickly spread online, showed two NYPD officers repeatedly punching, kicking, and dragging a suspect during an arrest on Tuesday near Hoyt and Baltic streets. Blood is visible on the floor as officers shout commands for the man to stop resisting and put his hands behind his back.

The officers, identified only as veteran Brooklyn North narcotics detectives, believed the suspect was involved in a drug transaction, per ABC7. No drugs were found on the man, who the police believed to be someone else and they had the wrong man.  

Mayor Zohran Mamdani wasted little time weighing in, issuing a strongly worded condemnation. “The violence used by NYPD officers in this video is extremely disturbing and unacceptable,” Mamdani wrote on X. “Officers should never treat a person this way.” Mamdani previously called NYPD officers "racist" and a "major threat to public safety," demanding massive cuts to the department. He said during his campaign, "We have to make clear that when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it's been laced by the IDF."

His remarks immediately triggered pushback from the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), which accused the mayor of rushing to judgment before all the facts are known. “We don’t know why the mayor is bothering to call for an investigation when he has already rushed to condemn the NYPD members involved without knowing all the facts,” said PBA President Patrick Hendry. “As we have said before, the mayor’s words matter. He should not publicly prejudge any incident involving police officers.”

The Detectives’ Endowment Association went even further, issuing a blistering statement defending the officers and warning of broader consequences.

"When the Mayor shrugs off attacks on police as a ‘playful snowball fight,’ criminals hear it loud and clear — and our Detectives pay the price,” said DEA President Scott Munro. “Let’s be clear: when an NYPD Detective is making an arrest, there is no ‘right’ to resist. PERIOD. This is what happens when City Hall rushes to judge based on a viral clip instead of facts. It’s reckless. It’s dangerous. And it’s a failure of leadership.”

The NYPD has confirmed that both officers involved have been placed on modified duty as the department’s Internal Affairs Bureau conducts a full review of the incident. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch acknowledged the disturbing nature of the footage but emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. “Yes, I have seen the video. I have been briefed on it, and this matter is under internal review,” Tisch said during a press conference. “I understand the community’s interest in it because it is an upsetting video.”

The arrest also drew a crowd at the scene, with bystanders arguing with officers as the situation unfolded. The individual recording the video can be heard calling 911 during the incident. Authorities have yet to release the identities of the officers.