New York Mayor Orders Police Use-of-Force Policy Review After Officer Retires Before Disciplinary Trial

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Monday that the NYPD must review its use-of-force policies and close a loophole allowing an officer to retire before disciplinary proceedings over the death of 19-year-old Win Rozario. The review, the first comprehensive examination in a decade, follows the March 2024 shooting where Rozario was tasered twice and shot five times after allegedly advancing toward officers with scissors during a psychotic episode. The New York Attorney General's Office declined criminal charges, deeming the use of force legally defensible. Officer Salvatore Alongi retired on medical disability in May, effectively ending his disciplinary case, while Matthew Cianfrocco remains under trial. Mamdani emphasized the need for policies reflecting responsibility to victims and New Yorkers in crisis. The NYPD now alerts oversight bodies when officers under investigation apply for retirement, and will report retired officers with pending charges to the state for decertification.