NYPD's Strategic Response Group Faces Call for Overhaul as Critics Weigh In
A former NYPD official who played a pivotal role in forming the Strategic Response Group (SRG) has spoken out against the unit, citing concerns over its design and training. Anthony Raganella, a retired deputy inspector, acknowledged his involvement in creating the SRG but expressed doubts about its effectiveness.
Raganella pointed to the inherent conflict within the unit, which is tasked with responding to protests while also being trained to handle counterterrorism threats. "I thought that it was not necessary for them to have heavy weapons, and I did not like the idea of crossing over, having a unit that carried heavy weapons, but then was also responsible for facilitating First Amendment assemblies," he said.
The SRG has been criticized by civil liberties groups and others for its handling of protests, with some accusing officers assigned to the unit of brutality. In response to the criticism, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has campaigned on disbanding the SRG, citing its dual responsibilities as a reason for the overhaul.
While supporters argue that the SRG is necessary for public safety in New York, Raganella expressed concerns about the NYPD's potential attempts to rebrand the unit. "My concern is that the department, if left unchecked, is just going to rebrand this and give it a new name and it's going to be the same old, same old, and we're going to end up right back where we started again," he said.
The NYPD has maintained that SRG officers receive extensive training on crowd control, First Amendment rights, and arrest tactics. However, Raganella questioned the effectiveness of this training, citing its focus on specialty weapons rather than addressing the inherent conflict within the unit's design.
As the debate around the SRG continues, some experts have called for a separate unit to respond to protests that does not also handle counterterrorism threats. A 2020 report by the Department of Investigation recommended re-evaluating the central role of the SRG in response to large protests.
Despite Raganella's reservations, he expressed cautious optimism about Mamdani's efforts to overhaul the SRG. However, his concerns highlight the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing public safety and protest response in New York City.
A former NYPD official who played a pivotal role in forming the Strategic Response Group (SRG) has spoken out against the unit, citing concerns over its design and training. Anthony Raganella, a retired deputy inspector, acknowledged his involvement in creating the SRG but expressed doubts about its effectiveness.
Raganella pointed to the inherent conflict within the unit, which is tasked with responding to protests while also being trained to handle counterterrorism threats. "I thought that it was not necessary for them to have heavy weapons, and I did not like the idea of crossing over, having a unit that carried heavy weapons, but then was also responsible for facilitating First Amendment assemblies," he said.
The SRG has been criticized by civil liberties groups and others for its handling of protests, with some accusing officers assigned to the unit of brutality. In response to the criticism, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has campaigned on disbanding the SRG, citing its dual responsibilities as a reason for the overhaul.
While supporters argue that the SRG is necessary for public safety in New York, Raganella expressed concerns about the NYPD's potential attempts to rebrand the unit. "My concern is that the department, if left unchecked, is just going to rebrand this and give it a new name and it's going to be the same old, same old, and we're going to end up right back where we started again," he said.
The NYPD has maintained that SRG officers receive extensive training on crowd control, First Amendment rights, and arrest tactics. However, Raganella questioned the effectiveness of this training, citing its focus on specialty weapons rather than addressing the inherent conflict within the unit's design.
As the debate around the SRG continues, some experts have called for a separate unit to respond to protests that does not also handle counterterrorism threats. A 2020 report by the Department of Investigation recommended re-evaluating the central role of the SRG in response to large protests.
Despite Raganella's reservations, he expressed cautious optimism about Mamdani's efforts to overhaul the SRG. However, his concerns highlight the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing public safety and protest response in New York City.
. I mean, having cops with heavy weapons on protests? That's just asking for trouble 
. And what really gets me is that they're trying to rebrand it instead of actually addressing the issues. Like, come on NYPD, take a step back and think about how you can make things better 
. Maybe create a separate unit just for protests? I don't know, but this whole thing just feels like a mess 
.
i dont think the nypd is doing anything wrong but they gotta listen to the criticism and make changes they cant just sweep it under the rug anymore 
we need experts like anthony raganella coming forward and sharing his concerns so we can have a more informed discussion about how to move forward 
... like Raganella, who's trying 2 do whats right 4 NYC but feels trapped in a system thats got its flaws 
... the fact that some civil liberties groups & others are accusing officers of brutality is super concerning 
... and yea, rebranding doesnt make the underlying issues disappear 
... instead of just scrapping SRG or trying 2 overhaul it, maybe we should focus on finding a more balanced approach 4 public safety & protest response 
. The inherent conflict between its dual responsibilities as a counterterrorism unit and a crowd control agency is a recipe for disaster 
. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole - it just doesn't work. We've seen time and again how the SRG's heavy-handed tactics have led to allegations of brutality, which is totally unacceptable 
.
. It's about time we re-evaluate our approach to public safety and protest response in NYC. Instead of trying to rebrand the SRG with a new name, we should be focusing on creating separate units that can handle different types of situations effectively 
. Let's just get this right and create a safer, more equitable city for everyone 
.
. I think it's time for a fresh perspective on how to handle protests and public safety. Maybe instead of having one unit that can do both, you could have separate teams that specialize in crowd control and counterterrorism? That way everyone gets what they need without the inherent conflict 
. I mean, think about all those times when police officers have been criticized for using excessive force at protests and still no changes are made 
? I'd like to see some real change in the way this unit is run before I start believing they're serious about reforming it 
.