NEW YORK (Le Floridien) — The Haitian American community is once again making its mark in New York City government, with the appointment of Edwin Raymond as the city’s new sheriff.
Just weeks after Dr. Alister Martin was appointed as New York City’s top public health official, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has named Raymond, a Haitian American and former NYPD lieutenant, to another high-level position in his administration.
On Thursday, the mayor’s office announced that retired NYPD lieutenant Edwin Raymond had been appointed New York City Sheriff, replacing former Sheriff Anthony Miranda.
Raymond, a Brooklyn native raised in East Flatbush and the son of Haitian immigrants, brings a long record of public service and advocacy for police accountability to the role. He spent 15 years with the NYPD, serving in several Brooklyn commands before rising to lieutenant and later becoming commanding officer of Brooklyn North Community Affairs. He retired from the department in 2023.
Raymond also became widely known for publicly challenging quota-driven policing practices inside the NYPD, a stance that made him one of the department’s most visible voices for reform.
Most recently, he served as the nation’s first Social Justice Liaison in the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James, where he focused on law enforcement accountability and rebuilding public trust.
In announcing the appointment, Mayor Mamdani described Raymond as a courageous and principled public servant whose career has been shaped by a commitment to justice, accountability and public trust. The mayor said Raymond’s experience and reform-minded approach make him well suited to lead the Sheriff’s Office at a time when New Yorkers expect government to deliver both safety and fairness.
Raymond said his upbringing shaped his commitment to public service.
“I’m grateful to now be part of Mayor Mamdani’s administration as the city’s new sheriff,” Raymond said in a statement. “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. 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.”
A Proud Moment for the Haitian Diaspora
Commenting on Raymond’s appointment, officials noted the significance of his new responsibilities. As New York City Sheriff, he will oversee court enforcement, property seizures, tax enforcement and operations targeting illegal businesses, including unlicensed cannabis shops. The Sheriff’s Office operates under New York City’s Department of Finance.
Attorney General Letitia James praised the appointment, saying Raymond has consistently championed “safety, fairness and accountability” throughout his career. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams also reflected on the moment, describing Raymond’s rise as significant for those who have long advocated for police accountability and reform.
Raymond’s appointment comes shortly after Dr. Alister Martin’s elevation to a top public health leadership role in New York City, giving Haitian Americans representation in two influential areas of municipal government: public health and public safety.
For many in the Haitian community, these appointments serve as powerful reminders of the contributions Haitians continue to make across American society. At a time when headlines about Haiti often focus on political instability and insecurity, the success stories of leaders such as Dr. Martin and Edwin Raymond highlight the talent, resilience and leadership emerging from the Haitian diaspora.
Together, their appointments reflect the growing presence of Haitian Americans in positions of influence and decision-making, reinforcing the community’s important role in shaping the future of New York City.
