In a recent audit, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander highlighted a pattern of delay and noncompliance by the NYPD in responding to requests for police body-worn camera footage. As reported by the NYC Comptroller's Office, an alarming 85% of Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests to the department were not addressed within the expected 25-business day period, a standard for city agencies.
The numbers paint a stark picture: out of 5,427 FOIL requests logged between 2020 and 2024, 4,591 failed to receive timely responses. Even more concerning, 1,137 requests languished beyond 200 business days—a significant delay that calls into question the efficacy of the body camera program, intended to foster transparency and accountability in policing. "The whole purpose of body-worn cameras is transparency. Failing to provide the footage as required by law fundamentally undermines the whole purpose of program," Comptroller Brad Lander said in a statement obtained by the NYC Comptroller's Office.
Additional issues unearthed include infractions in the NYPD’s handling of body camera protocols. In 18% of the cases examined, officers either activated their cameras too late or turned them off prematurely during encounters. Furthermore, more than a third of body camera footage files for 911 dispatches were reportedly missing from NYPD's system. These deficiencies highlight inconsistencies in a tool meant for improving police practices and building community trust, Lander observed, as reported by Gothamist.
An equally troubling finding from the audit is the NYPD's routine failure to grant BWC FOIL requests without prior appeals. The comptroller's office noted that a staggering 97% of appeals filed resulted in the requested footage being released, signaling an excessively restrictive approach to information sharing. This resistance to transparency does not align with the professed aims of the BWC initiative. "With proper oversight, body-worn cameras are a tool for gathering evidence, strengthening accountability, improving policing practices, and building trust. Without proper oversight, it's just a hunk of metal," Lander said, as per the NYC Comptroller's Office.
