New York City's mayor has moved to reshape how the city polices its police. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Jennifer Jones Austin as chair of the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
The board she will lead carries significant weight. The Civilian Complaint Review Board is the nation's largest independent police oversight entity.
The appointment fits into a broader agenda the mayor ran on. It is a step toward Mamdani fulfilling his campaign promise to revamp policing in the city.
The mayor framed the choice around what he expects Austin to deliver. He says she will strengthen accountability and increase public trust.
He also tied the appointment to how residents are treated. Mamdani says Austin will make sure every New Yorker is treated with dignity.
Austin brings experience from inside city government. She is a lawyer who previously served in the de Blasio and Bloomberg administrations.
Her civic profile extends beyond City Hall. Austin is the vice chair of the board of the National Action Network.