The New York City Council has approved legislation requiring the New York Police Department (NYPD) to document the race, gender, and age of individuals subjected to most police stops for questioning. This law, known as the How Many Stops Act, was passed despite Mayor Eric Adams’ attempt to veto it.
Under the new law, officers will be obligated to record basic information during low-level encounters where individuals are asked for information without necessarily being suspected of a crime. Additionally, officers must report the circumstances leading to the stop and document any use of force against the individual questioned. The recorded data will be made accessible to the public via the police department’s website.
While Mayor Adams possesses veto power over bills, the City Council, with a two-thirds majority, successfully overrode his veto with 42 votes in favor and nine against. The legislation is slated to take effect in June.
Advocates for police reform have welcomed the law, asserting that it will help reduce racial profiling and enhance transparency in policing. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is unrelated to the mayor, emphasized the necessity of transparency amid ongoing concerns about unconstitutional stops and misconduct complaints.
City Council member Kevin Riley, a Bronx Democrat who is Black, expressed solidarity with many New Yorkers’ apprehensions about interactions with police, noting the anxiety that accompanies encounters with law enforcement.
However, Mayor Adams and senior police officials have voiced concerns about the law’s potential impact on NYPD operations. They argue that it could impede response times, undermine community-oriented policing efforts, and substantially increase the department’s budgetary expenses, particularly in overtime costs.
Mayor Adams cautioned that the law would divert officers’ attention from patrolling the streets and ensuring public safety, emphasizing the critical nature of swift police response in emergency situations.
Conversely, the Police Benevolent Association, the city’s largest police union, pledged compliance with the new law while cautioning that the council would be held accountable for any adverse effects on emergency response times and police presence in neighborhoods.
Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association, reaffirmed officers’ commitment to community safety despite the increased workload and staffing challenges faced by the NYPD.