Fact Check: No Evidence of NYPD Mass Walkout Following Mamdani’s Mayoral Victory

Claims of a massive walkout within the New York Police Department following Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor have been circulating across social media platforms, but appear to be unfounded according to multiple verification sources.

The allegations gained traction Wednesday when high-profile figures, including Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, began spreading the unverified information. Stefanik posted on X: “@KathyHochul’s catastrophic endorsement of the Defund the Police pro-Hamas Mayor has caused a MASSIVE walkout out of NYPD officers,” adding that “Kathy Hochul and her endorsed Commie Mamdani are literally destroying New York.”

Republican congressional hopeful Sholdon Daniels amplified the claim with a succinct post stating “Massive walkout at NYPD.” The narrative gained further momentum when activist Ryan Fournier claimed that most rank-and-file NYPD officers were “going to be submitting their papers to transfer or retire,” suggesting that thousands of officers would leave the department.

Zeek Arkham, who has law enforcement experience, added to the chorus by claiming that “just about every NYPD cop” he had spoken to was planning to leave the force. “They’re not about to stay in a city where the mayor, and the people who elected him, openly hates them,” Arkham wrote.

Despite the flurry of social media activity, there is no substantiated evidence supporting these claims. No official statements have been issued by NYPD leadership, police unions, or the department’s press office regarding any coordinated resignation or walkout effort.

Established news organizations in New York, which closely cover police department developments, have not reported on any unusual personnel movements or mass departures from the force. Fact-checking resources have labeled the claim as false, with one verification citing that a video purportedly showing the “walkout” actually depicted a standard retirement ceremony—a traditional NYPD practice where officers line up to honor a departing colleague.

The unfounded rumors emerge against a backdrop of existing challenges within the NYPD, which has experienced staffing pressures in recent years due to individual retirements and transfers. These ongoing staffing issues, however, predate Mamdani’s election and appear unrelated to the current claims.

While the alleged police walkout lacks verification, the New York Post did report that Jewish Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker submitted his resignation hours after Mamdani secured his victory over opponents Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. This isolated resignation appears to be the only confirmed departure of a city official following the election.

Misinformation surrounding police departments and political figures has become increasingly common on social media platforms, particularly following contentious elections. The viral nature of these claims highlights the importance of seeking information from official sources and established news outlets before accepting and sharing unverified reports.

The situation underscores broader tensions between law enforcement and progressive politicians in major urban centers across the United States. Police unions and departments nationwide have expressed concerns about reform-minded candidates, while progressive politicians have emphasized the need for accountability and restructuring of public safety resources.

As Mamdani prepares to take office, maintaining productive relationships with the city’s essential services, including the police department, will likely be among his administration’s early challenges. The circulation of unverified information may complicate these efforts as the new administration works to establish its governance approach in America’s largest city.