Cuomo Endorses NYPD Expansion as Political Factions Clash Over Law Enforcement

By Eric Mack | Sunday, 02 November 2025 09:16 AM EST

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has thrown his support behind outgoing Democrat Mayor Eric Adams’ proposal to hire 5,000 additional NYPD officers, framing the initiative as critical to addressing police attrition and restoring operational efficiency within the department.

Cuomo highlighted the strain on existing staff, stating, “We’re losing police officers at one of the highest rates of attrition because they’re so short-staffed, they have to work all the time.” He argued that increasing the force from just under 34,000 to about 40,000 by 2029 would allow officers to work “normal shifts” and improve departmental sustainability.

The plan, which requires City Council approval, is projected to cost $17.8 million in the next fiscal year, rising to $315.8 million by 2029. Cuomo used the announcement to criticize rival Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who has backed defund-the-police initiatives. He accused Mamdani of opposing Adams’ plan and labeled him “against the police,” suggesting that socialists prioritize ideology over public safety.

Mamdani, meanwhile, has attempted to distance himself from anti-policing rhetoric, proposing a $1.1 billion Department of Community Safety to handle nonviolent mental health calls and pledging to retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch if elected.

Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa accused Cuomo of promoting “leftism” and claimed that both liberal and conservative figures have contributed to New York’s challenges. He vowed to fight for “law and order values,” stating, “I fight for what I know is right. Improve, don’t move.”