City Council Speaker Corey Johnson is backing a plan to cut $1 billion from the NYPD.

The proposed 17% cut to the department's $6 billion budget comes amid calls to defund the police following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis officer last month.

Council members say the cuts can be made by reducing the size of the force through attrition, cutting overtime, and shifting some responsibilities away from the NYPD and to other city agencies. 

"Over the last few weeks, we have seen an outpouring of New Yorkers demanding change from their leaders," several Council members said in a statement.  "It is our job to listen – and to act.  We will not let this moment pass, and we will fight for the budget they deserve.”

The move would usher in a new era in policing in the city. It also marks a major shift among lawmakers, who have long protected the department from cuts.

Mayor de Blasio has said he supports reducing the NYPD's budget, but has indicated a $1 billion cut would be too high

The City Council and the mayor must finalize a budget plan by June 30.

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