Mayor Mamdani Appoints Edwin Raymond as NYC Sheriff. Here’s Why That’s Important.
- SFJ
- May 30
- 3 min read
Open Letter to Mayor Mamdani
Re: Appointment of Edwin Raymond as New York City Sheriff
Dear Mayor Mamdani,
I am writing on behalf of Strategies for Justice, an organization that believes that by unveiling untold narratives of injustice from those working in policing, we can encourage reform within the law enforcement community. We want to commend your decision on appointing Lt. Edwin Raymond as the new Sheriff of New York City. This appointment signals something that is far more meaningful than a leadership transition. It reflects a commitment to values that should be celebrated by every law enforcement agency: transparency, accountability, and moral courage.
I personally know Mr. Raymond and his journey as a whistleblower. He is someone who chose integrity over silence and demonstrates precisely the kind of leadership our communities have long demanded. At a time when public trust in law enforcement remains fragile, your appointment sends a clear message that truth-telling is not a liability in public service, but an asset and a core value.
This decision matters deeply because community policing cannot exist without trust, and trust cannot exist without accountability. Communities across New York City, particularly communities historically over-policed and under-protected, are not asking for more rhetoric and promises but for proof that oversight, fairness, and justice are more than aspirational goals.
In appointing Lt. Raymond, you have provided such proof, affirming that leadership in law enforcement should be defined not by conformity but by character; that the willingness to confront wrongdoing is not disloyalty to fellow law enforcement but public service that all sworn officers undertake; and that protecting communities begins with protecting the truth.
Importantly, this appointment also creates an opportunity to reshape the culture within law enforcement agencies. It sends a message to every officer: they will be supported, not punished, when they choose to uphold their oath in the face of misconduct.
The work ahead remains substantial and will not be achieved by one single appointment. Accountability must be institutionalized and not individualized. Transparency must be sustained and not merely symbolic. And community trust must be earned continuously through policy, practice, and presence. But today’s decision is a meaningful step forward.
As someone who has long advocated for justice, fairness, and the strengthening of public trust in our police, I want to acknowledge the significance of this moment. Leadership choices matter. This one reflects both awareness and intention.
I encourage you to continue building on this foundation, ensuring that this appointment is not an exception, but part of a broader vision for ethical, community-centered public safety in New York City, and hopefully, other cities and municipalities will follow.
I thank you for making a decision that affirms what so many have been calling for. Leadership that affirms accountability is not feared but embraced.
Respectfully,
Terry Lee Watson
Founder, SFJ
Terry Watson is a speaker, author, and trainer specializing in disability equity in education, racial justice, and law enforcement. Mr. Watson is the founder of Strategies for Justice and the host of Moses' People Speak: Race, Conversations, and Law Enforcement, and the author of Welcome to the Sick Mind of a Sane Person: Deconstructing Racism and White Supremacy.
SFJ is a Public-Benefit Company dedicated to providing education and advocacy to the communities it interacts with.
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