Mamdani agrees to put NYPD officers on 12-hour shifts during World Cup

At least 17,000 NYPD officers are scheduled for 12-hour shifts over a seven-day period starting July 1. The change is expected to require a significant increase in overtime spending, though no immediate cost estimate was provided. The mayor approved the overtime boost and signed off on the padded deployment. The overtime increase is tied to a rift over summer event policing between the mayor’s team and the NYPD. The mayor previously promised to rein in overtime spending, citing excessive costs and arguing that better staffing and deployment of other city agencies could reduce spending for incidents such as mental health-related 911 calls. Despite those promises, overtime spending is projected to remain around $1 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30.

"Putting at least 17,000 NYPD officers on 12-hour shifts will require a significant increase in overtime spending. An NYPD spokesperson said the department could not immediately provide a cost estimate, but added that Mamdani has signed off on the padded deployment for the seven-day span."

"Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Mamdani, confirmed the mayor greenlit the increase in overtime spending, saying he "supports the additional steps the NYPD is taking, including 12-hour shifts between July 1 and 7, to help ensure this is both a fun and safe summer for New Yorkers and visitors alike.""

"As a mayoral candidate last year, Mamdani - who once called for disbanding the NYPD altogether - promised to rein in overtime spending at the department, which routinely costs taxpayers around $1 billion per year. He said at the time that the entrenched form of spending was excessive and a significant chunk of it could be cut by properly staffing and deploying other city agencies for incidents like 911 calls related to mental health emergencies."

"Since taking office, Mamdani has made little headway on those promises. In fact, the NYPD is on track to again spend about $1 billion on police overtime this fiscal year, which ends on June 30 - the day before the new 12-hour shifts are set to begin."

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