NYPD's Body Camera Footage Delays Raise Concerns About Transparency and Accountability
A recent audit by the New York City Comptroller's office has found that the NYPD has consistently failed to meet deadlines for releasing body-worn camera footage, often not turning it over until after a request was appealed. The audit, which reviewed police body-worn camera footage requested through New York's freedom of information law, revealed that in many cases, the department took more than 25 business days to respond to requests, far exceeding the standard timeline set by city agencies.
The delay has sparked concerns about transparency and accountability within the NYPD, with Comptroller Brad Lander arguing that the lack of timely release of footage undermines the intended purpose of body-worn cameras. "With proper oversight, body-worn cameras are a tool for gathering evidence, strengthening accountability, improving policing practices, and building trust," Lander said in a statement.
However, an NYPD official has pushed back against the audit's methodology and conclusions, arguing that using data from 2020 as a reference point is methodologically flawed due to the city's unique circumstances during that year. The department also disputed the notion that 25 business days is a standard time period for responding to FOIL requests, pointing out that the 95-day timeframe has been upheld in court.
The audit found that nearly all of the denied requests were later granted after an appeal, often due to the requesters appealing before the department decided whether to release footage. Additionally, the review discovered that officers did not follow proper videotaping procedures in about 18% of cases, with cameras being turned on too late or stopped too early during encounters.
Despite these findings, the NYPD has agreed to several recommendations aimed at improving transparency and oversight of body-worn camera footage, including increasing staffing at its Legal Bureau to respond to FOIL requests and investigate lower activation rates at certain precincts. However, the department's response raises questions about whether these steps will be sufficient to address the issues raised by the audit.
A recent audit by the New York City Comptroller's office has found that the NYPD has consistently failed to meet deadlines for releasing body-worn camera footage, often not turning it over until after a request was appealed. The audit, which reviewed police body-worn camera footage requested through New York's freedom of information law, revealed that in many cases, the department took more than 25 business days to respond to requests, far exceeding the standard timeline set by city agencies.
The delay has sparked concerns about transparency and accountability within the NYPD, with Comptroller Brad Lander arguing that the lack of timely release of footage undermines the intended purpose of body-worn cameras. "With proper oversight, body-worn cameras are a tool for gathering evidence, strengthening accountability, improving policing practices, and building trust," Lander said in a statement.
However, an NYPD official has pushed back against the audit's methodology and conclusions, arguing that using data from 2020 as a reference point is methodologically flawed due to the city's unique circumstances during that year. The department also disputed the notion that 25 business days is a standard time period for responding to FOIL requests, pointing out that the 95-day timeframe has been upheld in court.
The audit found that nearly all of the denied requests were later granted after an appeal, often due to the requesters appealing before the department decided whether to release footage. Additionally, the review discovered that officers did not follow proper videotaping procedures in about 18% of cases, with cameras being turned on too late or stopped too early during encounters.
Despite these findings, the NYPD has agreed to several recommendations aimed at improving transparency and oversight of body-worn camera footage, including increasing staffing at its Legal Bureau to respond to FOIL requests and investigate lower activation rates at certain precincts. However, the department's response raises questions about whether these steps will be sufficient to address the issues raised by the audit.
I mean, can you believe it? The NYPD is still slow to release their body cam footage 
. Like, come on guys, we need to see what's going down on those streets ASAP 
! 25 business days is way too long for us to wait 
. It's like they're trying to make us question the whole purpose of having body-worn cameras in the first place 
. I'm all for accountability and transparency, but not at the cost of being out of the loop 
. And now they're saying that 25 business days is a standard time period? 
Yeah right! We need to see some real change around here 
.
. i'm not saying nypd doesn't have its issues, but come on folks let's try to be transparent here 
. and 18% of cases without proper videotaping procedures is way too high - gotta make sure we're not messing up our own investigations 
.
. It's not like they're just sitting around twiddling their thumbs waiting for FOIL requests. And yeah, maybe 25 business days isn't exactly ideal, but is it really that crazy? 
I get where Comptroller Lander is coming from and all, but let's not be too hard on the NYPD, you know? They're trying to do their job to the best of their ability. And honestly, if nearly all those denied requests got granted after an appeal, that's a pretty big deal 
. Let's give 'em some credit for figuring out what works and what doesn't.
... but on the other hand, maybe they're right that usin' 2020 data is a bit dodgy 
? I mean, I've seen some crazy stuff go down in this city, and if that's what's bein' used as a baseline, then it's hard to get too worked up about it 
... or maybe it's just me, but it seems like they're just messin' around when it comes to takin' responsibility for their actions 
. I mean, can't they just keep us in the loop? It's like they're hiding something or what! Body-worn cameras are supposed to help with transparency and accountability, but if it takes 25 business days for them to release footage, that just doesn't seem right 
. I hope they take these recommendations seriously and actually make some changes 
. And don't even get me started on the lack of consistency in following proper videotaping procedures... 18% of cases? That's a huge red flag 
.
. Can we trust them now? 
. I hope the NYPD takes these steps seriously and actually starts being transparent about what's going on with those body cam videos, because honestly, it's been too long 
.
transparncy & accountability are so important, especially with police officers wearin' cameras. the fact that u have to appeal 4 a release is just rediculous