NYPD Disbanding Iconic Undercover Anti-Crime Unit

New York - The NYPD’s undercover detectives unit, the stuff of many movies and novels, became the first victim of the George Floyd protests.

Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on Monday that the unit will be disbanded after being involved in a “disproportionate” number of shootings. Its 600 officers will instead be distributed at precincts across the city and reassigned to other posts.

“When you look at the number of anti-crime officers that operate within New York City, and you look at a disproportionate, quite frankly, percentage of complaints and shootings — and they are doing exactly what was asked of them,” Shea said. 

Shea described the move as historic in the agency’s attempt to remake itself into a community organization rather than strictly law enforcement. He said that the termination of the unit “will be felt immediately throughout the five district attorney’s offices, it will be felt immediately in the communities that we protect. I would consider this in the realm of closing on one of the last chapters on stop, question and frisk.”

Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office