Mayor Zohran Mamdani's appointment of Jennifer Jones Austin as chair of New York City's Civilian Complaint Review Board over the weekend drew a cautious response from the city's largest police union, which said the agency must undergo "fundamental change" after years of conflict with rank-and-file officers.

Jones Austin, a longtime social justice advocate and former chair of the New York City Board of Correction, becomes the CCRB's first permanent chair since 2020. Mamdani said she would help advance his administration's public safety agenda by strengthening police accountability and public trust.

The appointment comes as the CCRB continues to face sharp criticism from the Police Benevolent Association, which has accused the oversight agency of exceeding its authority and unfairly targeting officers.

'Not going to accept empty promises'

PBA president Patrick Hendry said the union is willing to work with Jones Austin but warned that the agency's leadership change alone will not repair its relationship with officers.

"This is the fourth change in the CCRB chairperson in the last three years," Hendry said in a statement. "We are open to working with Ms. Jones Austin to try to address these issues, but we are not going to accept empty promises. There needs to be fundamental change to restore CCRB to the fairness and impartiality required by the City Charter."

Hendry accused the board of hiring investigators with anti-police bias, collaborating with activists to publicize unproven allegations against officers and seeking to expand its authority at the expense of the NYPD's disciplinary powers.

The PBA has filed multiple lawsuits challenging the board's expanding authority, including its ability to investigate officers for making false official statements and other misconduct uncovered during CCRB investigations. 

The union argues those powers exceed the agency's charter mandate and infringe on the police commissioner's disciplinary authority, while the city has defended the expanded oversight as necessary to strengthen police accountability.

Mayor Mamdani praised Jones Austin's record of public service, saying she has spent her career advocating for New Yorkers who have been "shut out of the halls of power."

"Jennifer will lead the CCRB with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to justice," the mayor said announcing the appointment. "I am grateful she has answered the call to serve our city."

Jones Austin said she intends to strengthen confidence in both the agency and city government.

"Trust between government and the communities we serve lay at the heart of public safety," she said in a statement. "As Chair, I will work to advance CCRB's critical mission of accountability and look forward to the work ahead."

Record of public service

Jones Austin most recently served as chief executive of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies and previously chaired the New York City Board of Correction and the New York City Racial Justice Commission. She also served as deputy chief of the Civil Rights Bureau in the New York State Attorney General's Office and helped lead the city's NYPD Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.

CCRB Executive Director Jonathan Darche said Jones Austin's experience in criminal justice and police reform makes her "an ideal chair for the CCRB."

The appointment also drew praise from the National Action Network, where Jones Austin serves as vice chair. Rev. Al Sharpton called her "a fearless and principled leader" who “understands that meaningful change requires both accountability and partnership — working outside the system to demand justice while engaging inside the system to achieve lasting reform.”

Henry Garrido, executive director of District Council 37, said her leadership on the New York City Racial Justice Commission demonstrated an ability to build consensus across diverse constituencies.

“During our time serving on the New York City Racial Justice Commission, she led the development of three charter amendment proposals through a robust public engagement process," Garrido said. "The overwhelming voter approval of those amendments is a testament to her commitment to equity, justice, and ensuring every voice is heard. Jennifer will serve the CCRB and the residents of New York City well."