NYC Mayor Proposes Medical-Led Response for Mental Health Crises After Police Shooting
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pushing for a shift in how authorities respond to mental health emergencies following a police-involved shooting in Queens. The incident involved 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty, who was shot by officers inside his Briarwood home while experiencing a mental health crisis.
According to NYPD body camera footage from January 26, Chakraborty was armed with a knife when officers arrived. The footage shows a family member attempting to prevent him from approaching the officers, who eventually discharged their weapons after repeated commands to drop the knife.
Chakraborty’s family expressed outrage, stating they had called 911 seeking medical assistance for their son, who has a history of schizophrenia, rather than police intervention. “Instead of medical responders, the NYPD arrived and shot our son multiple times right in front of us,” the family said in a statement.
Mayor Mamdani, who visited Chakraborty, emphasized the need for medical treatment over criminal prosecution in such situations. “Jabez needs mental health care, not criminal charges,” he said. The mayor also questioned the existing protocols that led to the shooting.
In response, Mamdani is accelerating plans for the proposed Department of Community Safety, which would dispatch trained social workers and mental health professionals to crises rather than police officers.
Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce cautioned that relying solely on medical personnel could pose risks if a person becomes violent, noting that police presence can provide protection. He suggested pairing medical professionals with law enforcement as a potential compromise.
Mental health advocates have long called for alternatives to police involvement in emotionally distressed situations. The recent incident has intensified those calls and may accelerate policy changes in New York City’s approach to mental health emergencies.
