An New York City Police Department captain who was recorded making controversial remarks about Zohran Mamdani during a protest in Brooklyn has been removed from a senior leadership role pending an internal investigation.
According to reports from ABC7 New York, Captain James Wilson was reassigned this week from his position as executive officer of the 94th Precinct after video footage circulated online showing him criticizing Mamdani during anti-immigration demonstrations outside Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn.
Wilson, who served as the precinct’s second-in-command, was heard in the video describing the mayor as “temporary” and “expendable” while also making additional disparaging comments about Democrats. The footage reportedly captured the captain speaking openly while in uniform and on duty.
The NYPD has since transferred Wilson to the department’s communications division at the 911 call center in the Bronx while an administrative review moves forward.
Department rules prohibit officers from publicly expressing partisan political opinions or comments about elected officials while performing official duties. Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Bob Boyce told ABC7 that officers wearing the uniform are viewed as representatives of the entire department, making such remarks especially problematic.
The video also appeared to show multiple people recording the interaction, while Wilson’s own body camera may have been activated during the exchange.
Mayor Mamdani addressed the controversy Wednesday, stating that he did not participate in the decision to transfer Wilson and that City Hall was not involved in the disciplinary process.
“I saw the video, but my office had no role in that personnel decision,” Mamdani said, adding that the matter was being handled according to NYPD procedures.
Wilson has spent approximately two decades with the police department and was promoted to captain only last month. Records indicate that over the course of his career, three civilian complaints were filed against him. One complaint involving abuse of authority from 2013 was substantiated by the Civilian Complaint Review Board, although Wilson was later cleared following an internal departmental trial.
The NYPD’s disciplinary investigation remains active and could take several months to complete. During that time, Wilson is expected to continue working in the communications bureau alongside civilian personnel.
By the Midtown Times Staff
