Police reform advocate files bid for Queens BP

Chairman of the National Latino Officers Association Anthony Miranda, second from left. Photo courtesy of Miranda.

By Victoria Merlino

The head of a police reform and Latino cops advocacy group, who has campaigned unsuccessfully for city and state office before, is considering another run, this time for Queens borough president. 

National Latino Officers Association Chairman Anthony Miranda filed with the Board of Elections to run for borough president on Nov. 1. He registered the campaign committee “Miranda for Queens.” 

“It’s kind of exploratory right now,” Miranda told the Eagle by the phone. He said he filed his candidacy but isn’t completely sure he will run an active campaign. He declined to discuss his specific reasoning for entering the borough president race

Miranda, a retired NYPD sergeant, is one of the founders of the National Latino Officers Association, a group of “inside guys,” according to Miranda, who work in the police department and advocate for officers and communities of color. 

“There’s still a need for what we do,” Miranda said. 

The association's recent advocacy work includes promoting the ballot question around Civilian Complaint Review Board that voters are deciding upon this election cycle. If passed, a city charter revision empower the CCRB to hold officers more accountable and promote transparency.

Though the Police Benevolent Association, thelargest police union in the city, has opposed the CCRB measure, saying it will make police’s jobs harder, Miranda said that the union is “mistaken.” CCRB reform is a good thing, he added.

“We’re in alignment with good police practices, we are not in alignment with practices that negatively impact communities of color,” and police officers, he said. 

Miranda believes creating officer organizations outside the purview of the police department is important, especially when it comes to officers’ mental health.

“The reason police officers don’t get help is because they are afraid of the police department,” Miranda said, adding that mental health reform is another topic his organization pushes and supports. 

If Miranda were to officially declare his candidacy, he would join Councilmembers Donovan Richards, Jimmy Van Bramer and Costa Constantinides, and Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman. Former Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley has also said she would run. Councilmember Paul Vallone is reportedly still considering a bid.