Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday appointed Edwin Raymond as New York City's new sheriff, selecting a retired New York Police Department lieutenant and police reform advocate to oversee the city's chief civil law enforcement office.
The appointment places Raymond in charge of an office responsible for enforcing court orders, executing warrants, collecting tax judgments and carrying out property seizures authorized by the courts.
The Sheriff's Office, which operates under the Department of Finance, also plays a role in enforcing laws related to unlicensed cannabis sales and mental hygiene warrants.
“Edwin Raymond represents the kind of public servant New Yorkers deserve: principled, courageous and deeply committed to justice,” Mamdani said in a statement. "Throughout his career, he has fought to build a public safety system rooted in effectiveness, accountability and public trust. Edwin understands that true safety comes when government earns the confidence of the people it serves, and I am proud to welcome him to our administration as Sheriff of the City of New York.”
Raymond most recently served as the nation's first social justice liaison in the New York State Attorney General's Office, where he worked with investigators on issues related to law enforcement accountability and public trust.
A native of East Flatbush and the son of Haitian immigrants, Raymond joined the NYPD at age 22 and spent 15 years with the department. His assignments included Transit District 32, the 77th Precinct and leadership positions in Brooklyn North, where he ultimately served as commanding officer of community affairs for Patrol Borough Brooklyn North before retiring in 2023.
Throughout his career, Raymond became known for advocating for greater transparency and accountability within policing. His work earned recognition from several organizations, including the NAACP, which honored him with its Courage Under Fire Award.
"Growing up in East Flatbush as the son of Haitian immigrants, I experienced both the public safety challenges facing working-class communities and the inequities that too often undermine trust in government," Raymond said. "Choosing a career in public service was my response to those realities. I look forward to continuing that work as Sheriff by helping build a safer, fairer and more accountable city for all New Yorkers.”
Raymond holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. As sheriff, he will oversee a broad range of legal enforcement responsibilities affecting residents, businesses and property owners across the five boroughs.
