Former NYPD Deputy Inspector Calls for Overhaul of Controversial Protest Response Unit
A retired NYPD official who played a key role in creating the Strategic Response Group (SRG), a unit tasked with responding to protests in New York City, is now calling for its complete overhaul. Anthony Raganella said there must be a "wholesale reset" of the unit due to concerns over its design and training.
The SRG has been criticized by civil liberties groups and others since its inception in 2015, accusing officers assigned to the unit of brutality during protests. In response, the NYPD agreed to limit the circumstances under which officers from SRG could be deployed to protests. However, Raganella expressed concerns about the initial training for SRG officers, stating that it focused on training them to carry heavy weapons while also responding to peaceful protests.
Raganella said he viewed the unit's dual responsibilities as an "inherent conflict" and believed the initial training was flawed due to its emphasis on specialty weapons. He stated that he did not like the idea of having a unit equipped with heavy weapons, yet still responsible for facilitating First Amendment assemblies.
The Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has campaigned on disbanding the SRG and replacing it with a new unit. While Raganella is cautiously optimistic about this approach, he fears that the NYPD may simply rebrand the existing unit rather than making significant changes.
Proponents of keeping the SRG argue that a properly trained unit is necessary for ensuring public safety in New York City. However, critics remain concerned about the optics and tactics employed by the unit, including its use of military-grade equipment and paramilitary formations.
Raganella's comments highlight the need for reform within the NYPD's protest response system. As the department considers overhauling or replacing the SRG, it is essential to prioritize transparency, accountability, and a commitment to protecting the rights of all New Yorkers, regardless of their views or activism.
A retired NYPD official who played a key role in creating the Strategic Response Group (SRG), a unit tasked with responding to protests in New York City, is now calling for its complete overhaul. Anthony Raganella said there must be a "wholesale reset" of the unit due to concerns over its design and training.
The SRG has been criticized by civil liberties groups and others since its inception in 2015, accusing officers assigned to the unit of brutality during protests. In response, the NYPD agreed to limit the circumstances under which officers from SRG could be deployed to protests. However, Raganella expressed concerns about the initial training for SRG officers, stating that it focused on training them to carry heavy weapons while also responding to peaceful protests.
Raganella said he viewed the unit's dual responsibilities as an "inherent conflict" and believed the initial training was flawed due to its emphasis on specialty weapons. He stated that he did not like the idea of having a unit equipped with heavy weapons, yet still responsible for facilitating First Amendment assemblies.
The Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has campaigned on disbanding the SRG and replacing it with a new unit. While Raganella is cautiously optimistic about this approach, he fears that the NYPD may simply rebrand the existing unit rather than making significant changes.
Proponents of keeping the SRG argue that a properly trained unit is necessary for ensuring public safety in New York City. However, critics remain concerned about the optics and tactics employed by the unit, including its use of military-grade equipment and paramilitary formations.
Raganella's comments highlight the need for reform within the NYPD's protest response system. As the department considers overhauling or replacing the SRG, it is essential to prioritize transparency, accountability, and a commitment to protecting the rights of all New Yorkers, regardless of their views or activism.
I gotta say, this whole situation with the Strategic Response Group (SRG) in NYC is wild 
. The fact that some ex-officer is speaking out about the unit's design and training is like a breath of fresh air 
. It's crazy to think that officers were trained to carry heavy weapons while still responding to peaceful protests 
. I mean, what even is that? It sounds like a recipe for disaster 
.
. The Mayor of NYC should definitely push forward with disbanding the SRG or rebranding it to make some real changes 
. It's time for a fresh start 
.
. Will they actually listen to the concerns and make some meaningful changes? Only time will tell 
.
It's like, officers are trained to respond to riots, but they're also supposed to be there to protect people's rights? That's just contradictory, you know? 
The fact that the mayor wants to disband the SRG is a good start, but if they rebrand it instead of actually changing the unit's approach, then what's the point? 
I hope Raganella's concerns are being taken seriously because this whole thing needs to be looked at from a different angle. We need to prioritize de-escalation and communication over militarized tactics 
. I mean, protests are a fundamental right in this country and we should be able to express ourselves freely without being met with aggression 
. We need to make sure that our law enforcement is serving the community, not just enforcing a narrow definition of order 
.